Countdown to 2020 Euro Final England v Italy

[Elizabeth]

Forever to be known as the 2020 European Football Championships , the final will be played this Sunday,11th July 2021. One year after it was planned due to the pandemic known as Covid 19.
When the referee blows his whistle at 20.00 hours the two nations of England and Italy will be spellbound until a winner emerges.
While Italy have emerged as the team to beat, England have an important home advantage.
Both sides have many similarities and while the Italian nation have long since warmed to their heroes following the humiliation of non qualification for the 2018 World Cup, it has taken the England fans a lot longer , despite reaching the semi finals of that World Cup. Now the whole nation will be behind Gareth Southgate and his team on Sunday.
Both managers have built and integrated their teams around youth so successfully and their team spirit is undeniable. Southgate has proven that he can be tactically as astute as Mancini.
I think it’s a 50/50 as to which captain is holding the trophy above their heads after the final whistle and while my money was literally on Italy before the tournament started, my belief that England is going to be victorious has grown considerably since they defeated Germany.
Their passage to the final has been smoother , key injured players have returned unharmed and their talisman and key goal scorer has hit top scoring form at just the right time. The speed from wide positions can hurt Italy if the ball can be fed there.
Italy on the other hand have lost their key man in the knockout stages and while I expect them to control a lot of the game I think this loss makes them less of an attacking threat.
So England it is for me in extra time or on penalties . What a great night it promises to be.

[tiger76]

Forever to be known as the 2020 European Football Championships , the final will be played this Sunday,11th July 2021. One year after it was planned due to the pandemic known as Covid 19.
When the referee blows his whistle at 20.00 hours the two nations of England and Italy will be spellbound until a winner emerges.
While Italy have emerged as the team to beat, England have an important home advantage.
Both sides have many similarities and while the Italian nation have long since warmed to their heroes following the humiliation of non qualification for the 2018 World Cup, it has taken the England fans a lot longer , despite reaching the semi finals of that World Cup. Now the whole nation will be behind Gareth Southgate and his team on Sunday.
Both managers have built and integrated their teams around youth so successfully and their team spirit is undeniable. Southgate has proven that he can be tactically as astute as Mancini.
I think it’s a 50/50 as to which captain is holding the trophy above their heads after the final whistle and while my money was literally on Italy before the tournament started, my belief that England is going to be victorious has grown considerably since they defeated Germany.
Their passage to the final has been smoother , key injured players have returned unharmed and their talisman and key goal scorer has hit top scoring form at just the right time. The speed from wide positions can hurt Italy if the ball can be fed there.
Italy on the other hand have lost their key man in the knockout stages and while I expect them to control a lot of the game I think this loss makes them less of an attacking threat.
So England it is for me in extra time or on penalties . What a great night it promises to be.

Good summary Elizabeth, I agree with most of that analysis, it's incredible to think that Italy failed to even qualify for Russia 2018 now, and Mancini has masterminded a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes, 33 games unbeaten whoever the opposition can't be dismissed lightly, but I do give England the slight edge for 2 reasons, 1) home advantage 2) and Italy's danger man is sadly injured for them.

But I sense it'll be a nervy one, and it may even take ET and penalties, still after 55 years of hurt I suppose we can tolerate an extra 30 minutes if we finally bring football home.

[Burnley1989]

I think it’s 50/50 also, I fancy us if it goes to extra time though

[Dyched]

It’ll be tight for a bit until England make it 4-0.

Granted I have only seen 60ish minutes of Italy in this Euros. I heard they are so “strong” defensively. Anywhere last week I got home from work, put the tv on and see Alvaro Morata do a simple 1-2 and the Italians were all at sea. Those 2 CHs quite simply won’t cope with Harry Kane. We’re not only talking about a world class forward, but a guy who has the intelligence and strength to out do them.

[Darthlaw]

Given the opposition Italy have played (and defeated) their form coming into the tournament and improving performances, unfortunately I think Italy will give us a good hiding.

I’ll be more than delighted if I’m wrong.

[Winstonswhite]

I think it will be nil nil and then we lose on penalties. Does that make me a miserable b@stard?

[ElectroClaret]

Phil Foden missing training today apparently, bit of a doubt. (BBC)

[tiger76]

I think it will be nil nil and then we lose on penalties. Does that make me a miserable b@stard?

Yes.

[Pearcey]

If we play well I think we win. Fancy Kane for the golden boot.

[diamondpocket]

The only question about Italy is do they have the legs.
They've played 2 games going the max and had a tough game against Belgium.

Added to that, they've lost Spinazzola who was arguably the man of the tournament up to that point and have an out of form Immobile who looks to have inherited Blake's diving boots. I don't see them creating much and being quite defensive looking for their attacking threat on the break in Insigne and Barella to the sides of Immobile. Veratti hasn't completed a full match yet after only just coming back from injury but with Jorginho in the middle of the park they have technical quality. If Italy do do it, it'll be a classic dogged backs to the wall performance from them. I think we'll have to be patient but will have enough threat and quality to win. An earlyish breakthrough would be nice ala Ukraine.
Come on England!

[Vino blanco]

It'll be a pizza p!ss, 4 nil to England.

[Devils_Advocate]

If we win tomorrow should some thanks and credit go to Bielsa???

[Bosscat]

If we win tomorrow should some thanks and credit go to Bielsa???

No DA not a f*****g chance its all down to Sir Gareth

[Devils_Advocate]

No DA not a f*****g chance its all down to Sir Gareth

I thought he learned it all from Dyche on his regular visits to the Turf

[cricketfieldclarets]

I think it will be nil nil and then we lose on penalties. Does that make me a miserable b@stard?

I actually also think it will be a close draw. Think four of the finals Italy have been in have been a draw plus another that was decided on a replay.

We have the players to do it though. But so do they.

[Taffy on the wing]

3-1 Italy AET..........Hope to be proved wrong.

[Fenwick]

3 - 1 England after extra time. I think we will run the old Italian centre backs into the ground. I never thought I would see England in a final. I never thought I would see Burnley in the top division. We will do it !

[KRBFC]

Good to see the whiners have changed their tune

[Elizabeth]

Good to see the whiners have changed their tune

A limp response

[KRBFC]

A limp response

Flip flop

[RVclaret]

It will no doubt be a tight game but I’ve grown in confidence that we will edge it. Spinnazola a big loss for them at left back and I reckon we can get after his replacement Emerson (third choice for Chelsea) with Saka’s pace. Mount knows Jorginho’s game inside out and I think he’ll be at him to stop him dictating (Austria did this to good effect).

[cricketfieldclarets]

Our main issue is if we go to extra time or it’s tight late on. Their gamesmanship will 100% come into it. We absolutely have more energy and pace especially in the positions it matters.

[Devils_Advocate]

Foden will be a big miss if he's not fit. His energy, movement and touch against the Danes was top notch and I think he's more to offer than Saka (though I wouldnt drop Saka for the final)

Having both Grealish and Foden to come on in attack and having Henderson to freshen up the midfield is what would give us the edge if it is level past 70 mins so no Foden just levels it up a bit

[slw]

be so ironic if we won on penalties , anyway that's my prediction : 10/1 lump on

[Steve1956]

I apolagise to all the staunch England fans on here and the way I dismissed our chances,although I tipped Italy before a ball was kicked I think it's time for me to be serious,come on England,this should always be our battle cry

https://youtu.be/QF7llhC7MLM

[MT03ALG]

It all depends on the first goal. First goal for Italia they win win 1-0. Early and first goal for England they win 5-0: early goal from Sterling, 2 red cards for Italia, hat-trick from Kane includng 2 penalties and a header from Maguire. Easy to predict !!

[Wile E Coyote]

Elizabeth, it will be a 1-0 England win by a Sterling goal.

[timshorts]

There will be repeats of midssomer murders available on other channels.
I'm thinking there will be more murders during the game than goals.

[Targetman]

Three of us just leaving home now and heading to Wembley. Look out for our Clarets flag!

[gandhisflipflop]

The first goal tonight is crucial. If Italy get it, they will just site back and look to do us on the counter which they are masters at protecting leads. They have pace in wide areas too. If we get that first goal, it will open Italy up a bit as they will gradually need to move from their defensive shape. It’s going to be nervy, I feel sick already.

[claretandy]

I see that the far-left are trying to cancel Gareth for being too patriotic.

https://twitter.com/Otto_English/status ... 1076009994

[Winstonswhite]

Three of us just leaving home now and heading to Wembley. Look out for our Clarets flag!

Very jealous! Have a good un

[alboclaret]

Forever to be known as the 2020 European Football Championships , the final will be played this Sunday,11th July 2021. One year after it was planned due to the pandemic known as Covid 19.
When the referee blows his whistle at 20.00 hours the two nations of England and Italy will be spellbound until a winner emerges.
While Italy have emerged as the team to beat, England have an important home advantage.
Both sides have many similarities and while the Italian nation have long since warmed to their heroes following the humiliation of non qualification for the 2018 World Cup, it has taken the England fans a lot longer , despite reaching the semi finals of that World Cup. Now the whole nation will be behind Gareth Southgate and his team on Sunday.
Both managers have built and integrated their teams around youth so successfully and their team spirit is undeniable. Southgate has proven that he can be tactically as astute as Mancini.
I think it’s a 50/50 as to which captain is holding the trophy above their heads after the final whistle and while my money was literally on Italy before the tournament started, my belief that England is going to be victorious has grown considerably since they defeated Germany.
Their passage to the final has been smoother , key injured players have returned unharmed and their talisman and key goal scorer has hit top scoring form at just the right time. The speed from wide positions can hurt Italy if the ball can be fed there.
Italy on the other hand have lost their key man in the knockout stages and while I expect them to control a lot of the game I think this loss makes them less of an attacking threat.
So England it is for me in extra time or on penalties . What a great night it promises to be.

This could be one of the most memorable days of our lives........and I'm starting it with a massive hangover

Enjoy

[dougcollins]

I see that the far-left are trying to cancel Gareth for being too patriotic.

https://twitter.com/Otto_English/status ... 1076009994

How hard do you look to find this stuff?

[Elizabeth]

IT’S COMING HOME !

[Dinks]

Come on boys wrap it up for us.

FB_IMG_1625904463017.jpg (23 KiB) Viewed 3298 times

[thedoge]

This could be one of the most memorable days of our lives........and I'm starting it with a massive hangover

Enjoy

I,m starting it with a Full English.

[claretandy]

How hard do you look to find this stuff?

I didn't look for it, it popped up on my timeline, there's plenty of others too.

[Elizabeth]

Big quandary what to eat in the build up to the match. Italian Pizza been lucky every game for England so far!

[HahaYeah]

"This country's obsessed with a war hardly anyone can remember... "

Doesn't make much sense to me that.

Anyway back to the football. Good luck England but I think Italy will win 3-0.

[Jimmymaccer]

Three of us just leaving home now and heading to Wembley. Look out for our Clarets flag!

Wow, you lucky lucky people………….Enjoy the day and wave the Claret flag!!!

[Devils_Advocate]

I didn't look for it, it popped up on my timeline, there's plenty of others too.

Noones trying to cancel him you wally they are just a bit disappointed about his recent comments that hark back to the war because as a nation and especially in football we have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with it and it has often turned nasty and violent towards foreigners when we lose.

Otto English has written some fantastic articles on WW2 and if you think he is far left then it shows what a problem this country as.

If you're branding this as cancel culture I wonder what you think of the likes of Farage, Patel and other right wing politician and commentators who spent the first few weeks of the tournament attacking Southgate and the team

Here's a view which gives you a sense of what can happen if English patriotism turns into English nationalism

https://twitter.com/carysafoko/status/1 ... 3862232069

[PeterWilton]

I see that the far-left are trying to cancel Gareth for being too patriotic.

https://twitter.com/Otto_English/status ... 1076009994

Being disagreed with is not "cancelled".

[Burnley1989]

I see that the far-left are trying to cancel Gareth for being too patriotic.

https://twitter.com/Otto_English/status ... 1076009994

I’ve just spent 10 minutes reading through his tweets, he certainly isn’t my cup of tea

[leelad]

Feeling confident England will win, but I think it will go to extra time. Home support combined with a team which has successfully reconnected itself with the country along with depth and quality across the team (especially in midfield and attack) should get us over the line. Just need to be mindful of Italy's tactics and gamesmanship If we play the game and not the occasion (easy for me to say that) we should do it.

[bfcjg]

I think 3-0 for England, just got that confidence that luck ie the German miss,the rebounded penalty etc is on our side for once.

[PeterWilton]

England 3-2. From 2-0 down and John Terry lifts the trophy first.

[Stayingup]

Noones trying to cancel him you wally they are just a bit disappointed about his recent comments that hark back to the war because as a nation and especially in football we have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with it and it has often turned nasty and violent towards foreigners when we lose.

Otto English has written some fantastic articles on WW2 and if you think he is far left then it shows what a problem this country as.

If you're branding this as cancel culture I wonder what you think of the likes of Farage, Patel and other right wing politician and commentators who spent the first few weeks of the tournament attacking Southgate and the team

Here's a view which gives you a sense of what can happen if English patriotism turns into English nationalism

https://twitter.com/carysafoko/status/1 ... 3862232069

So predicable I'm yawning. These days Patriotism = Racism and Wokeism stinks. But hey this is not a political thread.

Come on England and stick it up the Ities !!! Haha

[Elizabeth]

What time do we usually get the leaked team from the North East contingent ? I think Southgate should stick with the team that started in the semi final but wonder if he might start with Trippier and the formation that finished that game .

[claretandy]

What time do we usually get the leaked team from the North East contingent ? I think Southgate should stick with the team that started in the semi final but wonder if he might start with Trippier and the formation that finished that game .

I've seen 5-2-3 with tripps coming in for Saka.