So we've seen all 24 teams in action now, and although it's still early me brief thoughts as follows.

Belgium & Italy were impressive, but you have to take into account the quality or lack of they faced in their opening game.

Holland will be exciting to monitor their games look like having plenty of goals in them however far they happen to progress.

France still look the ones to beat, Germany don't look anything special based on last nigh, but as history tells us it's dangerous to write them off.

Portugal will always carry a threat with Ronaldo in their ranks. solid start for England if somewhat lacking in excitement.

Spain could be the great underachievers, they passed the Swedes to death the other night, but if you can't score goals you aren't going to win games.

Slovakia could be a dark horse to watch, an impressive display against Poland by them, although I did only catch the 2nd half of that match, but they were impressive from what I witnessed.

And Scotland doing what they do best being plucky losers.

Anyone agree or disagree with that synopsis, or have anything else to add then feel free.

Agreed with that although England looked very good especially in the first half.

I said Italy or France would win it before it started and I haven’t seen anything to change my mind.

I agree with that pretty much word for word.

I like the look of France. Germany were decent in spells.

I liked Slovakia but a (bitter) NI-supporting friend of mine said "they are rubbish". Think he thinks NI should be there instead.

Only 8 teams going home though after group, so a few underachievers will sneak through. Remember Portugal drew all 3 group games last time.

France, Italy and England most impressive, and Belgium not far behind.

Portugal or Holland for me. Or should that be The Netherlands

Was impressed with Ronaldo in his press conference, he removed the Coke bottles and replaced them with his unbranded water. A far more positive stance than taking the knee

Definitely The Netherlands as we were on a cruise doing a quiz - a football question came up and we answered Holland - the team marking our answers disallowed Holland much to my disgust !

Didn’t see Italy but from what I’ve seen France look the best side.

In the main football is now boring might be due to the saturation coverage,hope I get my interest back.

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:43 am

In the main football is now boring might be due to the saturation coverage,hope I get my interest back.

The group stages generally tend to start slowly, and the tournament should pick up when we hit the KO stages and the stakes become much higher.

SalisburyClaret wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 10:41 am

Portugal or Holland for me. Or should that be The Netherlands

The Netherlands. Holland is only one region in the Netherlands.

I admit I only learned this recently.

Spain are painful to watch, enjoyed Italy and France looked good without really getting out of 1st gear.

The rest looked very average but it is a bit like the Champions League group stage, until there is a chance a side could be knocked out it will remain cautious. Having 3 qualify from a group is a stupid idea.

24 teams is too many for the Euros, much like increasing the WC beyond 32 is also a stupid idea

edison wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:51 am

24 teams is too many for the Euros, much like increasing the WC beyond 32 is also a stupid idea

Completely agree and I assume as ever it's all down to finance again, when even the likes of Scotland can qualify you know there's a problem with the system.

Now not seen them all play but Italy and France were good and will be there at the sharpe end .
Did not see England or Belgium and a good few others but roll on the knock outs .

tiger76 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:56 am

Completely agree and I assume as ever it's all down to finance again, when even the likes of Scotland can qualify you know there's a problem with the system.

Ireland still can't qualify

edison wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:51 am

24 teams is too many for the Euros, much like increasing the WC beyond 32 is also a stupid idea

From a spectator point of view I agree but there is a danger that anyone with such a view is aligned to the owners of the so called big 6 who wanted to form their own European Club championship.

The lesser teams will only improve if they are allowed to play against the established teams, and it should be remembered that the established teams are only recognised by todays standards.

Hungary used to wipe the floor with England
The African teams have added so much to the World Cup and continue to improve. Who knows in years to come the final might be Nigeria v Australia

In cricket in the sixties and seventies England walked all over India and Pakistan. both these teams now compete head to toe with the best in the world and win, Sri Lanka have had their moments and Bangladesh and Afghanistan are improving.

Don't forget England have failed to reach World cups in the past, Denmark and Greece have won the Euros

WE should never take away the dream that anyone can win anything by being elitist

I thought that Germany gave France the run around for the majority of the second half, they just had nowt up top or any quality deliveries.

edison wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:46 am

The Netherlands. Holland is only one region in the Netherlands.

I admit I only learned this recently.

Well yes, but how often do we hear their fans chant "Netherlands, Netherlands" or similar. They always seem to sing "HOLLAND, HOLLAND". Maybe they're all from that region of the Netherlands

Sarum wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 12:47 pm

Well yes, but how often do we hear their fans chant "Netherlands, Netherlands" or similar. They always seem to sing "HOLLAND, HOLLAND". Maybe they're all from that region of the Netherlands

Possibly, or they are confused?

Not sure about them, but I certainly am !

Sarum wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:00 pm

Not sure about them, but I certainly am !

This is before we start talking about the Dutch

edison wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:08 pm

This is before we start talking about the Dutch

All going a bit Um Ba Ba now

edison wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:46 am

The Netherlands. Holland is only one region in the Netherlands.

I admit I only learned this recently.

There are 12 provinces in the Netherlands. Zuid Holland, Noord Holland and 10 others not called Holland.

That said, parts of northern Belgium used to cancel their post "d'Hollande", so at that point it was considered that Antwerp was part of "Hollande". Brabant comes between Antwerp and Zuid Holland, so presumably that was also called Holland for some purposes.

I find that dutch people that I talk to like to see Belgium doing well in the competitions when they (Netherlands) have been knocked out, whereas Belgian people like to see Netherlands get knocked out. I imagine that this is for just the same reasons that English people will want Scotland and Northern Ireland do well, but it doesn't work the other way round.

France a fantastic group of amazing individuals a very good team but not a fantastic "team", but will probably win it

England will be knocked out first game after the group stages

Italy for me are the team to beat

Turkey to be the surprise team of the tournament

France were lightning fast on the break and really unlucky with the miniscule offside decisions, and despite the German fight back, they also defended from front to back and looked impenetrable.

Germany will progress, but more due to doggedness than anything else.

Italy look a really good side and are my shout to win it.

I'm just hoping Wales can progress (I'll be rooting for them tonight), and if Scotland hadn't been in our group I would have liked to have seen them do well too.

I think England are a very good side in the making, not quite there yet and the picking of certain players, especially in defence, leaves me feeling the first knock-out round may be our limit. Fingers crossed that I'm wrong.

On the subject of Holland v Netherlands, as posted there are two of the 12 regions called North & South Holland. Amsterdam is in North Holland and attracts almost 90% of the international visitors to the country.

Last year the Government decided to ensure it was the name Netherlands that should be used and that Holland shouldn’t other than in the two regions.

So that’s where Gelderland is! I always wondered where Heath Ledger in ‘A Knights Tale’ pretended to come from!

Everyday is a school day!

Mbappe and Kante should ensure France make good progress.
Best teamwork so far by the Italians .
Portugal have several match winners whether they play good or bad.
Not sure about Belgium and Germany chances of getting to the final stages.
Ruling Spain and England out along with the other countries

For the first time ever we have a win in the bag and thats all that matters

England, France or Portugal to win it all.

Germany and Spain not much upfront and Italy/Belgium will be exposed against better teams defensively. I think the standard has dropped in international football significantly in the last 20 years or so.

As good as Italy have been I think England would beat them.

France, unfortunately.

if the French don't fall out with each other they will walk it

Most impressive team - Italy, by a country mile.
Most impressive player - Kante - virtually a midfield three on his own.
Personally, thought England were disappointing after their first 15 mins in each half.

Italy look good.

France obviously - and yes, Kante is unbelievable - best player in the the World IMHO (sorry Messi and Ronaldo). If Pogba shows up and with Mbappe (who is also something special) then - game over.

But never count out the Germans - they were not THAT bad against France.

England? Still not convinced. We have the talent, just not sure we have the manager to deploy that talent to give us the best possible chance at winning. I'm actually really concerned that we might lose to the jocks - just a gut feeling.

ClaretMov wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:26 pm

Turkey to be the surprise team of the tournament

You're right..they've been surprisingly terrible. And after being tipped as "dark horses" by some pundits.

Turkey? Lol. Absolutely useless!! The bald guy up front possibly the worst striker seen since Gifton. Turkey defo going home after group games.

That tomorrow's game at Wembley may spawn major trouble in the Capital

Sad, but true