THE EUROS

[Bluemike]

Muller, Ozil and Schweinsteiger all missing pens; Djokovic out of Wombledon - has the world gone completely bonkers? What next, Elvis found alive and well working in Basildon's Spud-u-Like! (Or MM signing a real RB?)

We may even stumble upon a positive ITFC fan ???? No maybe not.....

[herforder]

Muller, Ozil and Schweinsteiger all missing pens; Djokovic out of Wombledon - has the world gone completely bonkers? What next, Elvis found alive and well working in Basildon's Spud-u-Like! (Or MM signing a real RB?)

We may even stumble upon a positive ITFC fan ???? No maybe not.....

Yep, a very elusive, even secretative, beast to find out there. So Take a bow Marcus!

[Charnwood]

Watching France tear Iceland apart makes me wonder why we struggled against them so much and simply couldn't score from open play.

[hallamblue]

Was thinking the same thing Charny. If you carry forward the principle that being big time charlies with loads of money, actually counts for sod all if the team spirit, belief and work ethic is there - this has been been evident in bucket loads from Wales as well as Iceland, then Town have every right to being this seasons dark horses in the Championship. We just need to recapture that belief we had in the early part of Micks reign here.


COYBsssssssss

[arana peligrosa]

What was it, France hit five in the end ?. Can you imagine what they would have done to the English, your team got off lightly maybe. If Iceland was an embarrassment then the French could have really caused injury.

Last four confirmed : Wales / Portugal / France / Germany

Wales winning would be a great advert but you're talking realms of fantasy even at the semi-final stage. Portugal as before deserve better, but the winner will come from the other game. Even with (French) home advantage I expect Germany to win the contest, then possibly duplicate Spain's three consecutive championships (2008,2010,2012) to win again in Russia in two years time.

[Watership Down]

I would have preferred losing to the French !!! Less of an embarrassment.

[number 9]

Germany has depth and winning experience.
France has confidence after Iceland win.
Wales has desire and fight.
Portugal has Ronaldo.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to choose Germany as winners. More importantly, depth in a squad is an ingredient for success. Let's see what happens...

[jaykay]

just a thought Portugal could win the euros without winning a match in 120 mins of playing time.
also if wales win it,england will be the only team to beat them in this tournament

[arana peligrosa]

Germany has depth and winning experience.
France has confidence after Iceland win.
Wales has desire and fight.
Portugal has Ronaldo.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to choose Germany as winners. More importantly, depth in a squad is an ingredient for success. Let's see what happens...

That's where you're wrong and don't appreciate the generalization. Any one of the four nations left in could win it and while the Germans may be favorites to many we've seen before on more than one occasion (that) when it gets to the end games all things are possible. Did I believe for one minute Greece would overcome France, Czech Republic (if memory serves) and host nation Portugal back in 2004 in their three final games to achievement - did I f*ck.

It's not just about depth from within or motivation, whatever we class it in : there are many factors, and believe all participating countries remaining could ideally take the ultimate honor in one week, or when the end game occurs. Wales - for them, they got no concerns, whatever they achieve from here is a bonus - but teams like France and the expectation of being the host country, there's no guarantee this will go to script.

What the last response mentioned also : If Wales were to win the damn event (and the English being the only nation to record a victory as team opposition), you can rest assured not only will FIFA have the English in top three position in world rankings when they do their next evaluation, but Wales still finding themselves far behind in double figures and mixing it up with nations such as New Zealand and Morocco.

Provides a level of humor if nothing else.

[Shed on tour]

Wales v Portugal.
Won't forget the 2 games I watched in France involving these teams. Obviously the Wales game when Sturridge scored in time added on was the main and only highlight regarding England's performances and the Portugal v Hungary game in Lyon was fantastic to watch especially as a neutral.
Really hope Wales can do it tonight as the atmosphere between the Welsh and English in Lens both before and after the match was fantastic even though no doubt the media were disappointed that they had nothing to report on regarding trouble between both sets of supporters.

[hallamblue]

Shed what do you think was England's main failing at the Euros. I know what I thought having watched the games on TV but you were there. What was the fans thoughts?

[Shed on tour]

Shed what do you think was England's main failing at the Euros. I know what I thought having watched the games on TV but you were there. What was the fans thoughts?

hallam

Think if I put the fans thoughts on here I might get banned!

I believe a lot of things contributed to us yet again failing at a major tournament.

(1) Why play players that have struggled during the season at club level and then think all of a sudden they are going to produce the goods at the tournament (Sterling being a prime example).

(2) If plan A wasn't working (which appeared to be most of the time) we didn't seem to have a clue how to change things. The lack of movement when we were in possession of the ball was unbelievable at times, where have we heard that before?

(3) Why make so many changes for the Slovakia game when we hadn't even won the group?

(4) Playing players out of position

(5) Taking players who haven't been fit for most of the season (Wilshire being one example)

(6) Having no idea of how to break teams down who get players behind the ball.

(7) A defence and goalkeeper which appeared to go into panic mode anytime the oppostion got near the 18 yard box.

(8) Due to the fact that they play in the Premier league a lot of the players believe all the hype written about them and think they only have to step on the pitch against so-called inferior opposition and the game is won.

Will things change? I doubt it as they haven't after past failures at major tournaments and the FA will continue to come out with the same bull****. For me a start would be if some of our so-called stars went abroad to play for a while rather than in the so-called best league in the world but the chances of this happening are very slim to say the least as (1) they would probably have to take a drop in wages unless they went to one of the really big clubs and (2) would those big clubs want them anyway?

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Shed what do you think was England's main failing at the Euros. I know what I thought having watched the games on TV but you were there. What was the fans thoughts?

hallam

Think if I put the fans thoughts on here I might get banned!

I believe a lot of things contributed to us yet again failing at a major tournament.

(1) Why play players that have struggled during the season at club level and then think all of a sudden they are going to produce the goods at the tournament (Sterling being a prime example).

(2) If plan A wasn't working (which appeared to be most of the time) we didn't seem to have a clue how to change things. The lack of movement when we were in possession of the ball was unbelievable at times, where have we heard that before?

(3) Why make so many changes for the Slovakia game when we hadn't even won the group?

(4) Playing players out of position

(5) Taking players who haven't been fit for most of the season (Wilshire being one example)

(6) Having no idea of how to break teams down who get players behind the ball.

(7) A defence and goalkeeper which appeared to go into panic mode anytime the oppostion got near the 18 yard box.

(8) Due to the fact that they play in the Premier league a lot of the players believe all the hype written about them and think they only have to step on the pitch against so-called inferior opposition and the game is won.

Will things change? I doubt it as they haven't after past failures at major tournaments and the FA will continue to come out with the same bull****. For me a start would be if some of our so-called stars went abroad to play for a while rather than in the so-called best league in the world but the chances of this happening are very slim to say the least as (1) they would probably have to take a drop in wages unless they went to one of the really big clubs and (2) would those big clubs want them anyway?

[arana peligrosa]

Any hope of a Wales win in the tournament have been effectively extinguished but it's been a very good last few weeks for them. If FIFA see Belgium as the #2 ranked team in the world and Wales had a deserving victory last time out, then it's maybe perplexing how they were unable to overcome a Portugal team over 90 minutes nowhere near their former stature and largely dependant on one or two standout players.

Maybe fair to say the latter had a simplistic route into the final game but for a nation that has produced such players of caliber including Eusebio, Figo, Gomes and Rui Costa, and hitherto unable to win a major championship at international level : we wish them well.

Some semi-final game tomorrow also when favorites Germany take on host nation France and not to pick a winner, but the partizan crowd will be for sure favorable to the home team and just may be enough to edge them through.

Kind of hoping for a France / Portugal Final, as the latter have been beaten so many times by the French at major competition they'll be real eager for another opportunity of payback - and what better way than beating the home nation in the final game in front of their own frenzied support ? Yes Germany will have a say in this but it's shaping up for a fine last event.

[marko69]

Germany could've played until a week on Monday and they still wouldn't have scored. They were sh*t.

Hopefully the French win the thing now.

[hallamblue]

Shed what do you think was England's main failing at the Euros. I know what I thought having watched the games on TV but you were there. What was the fans thoughts?

hallam

Think if I put the fans thoughts on here I might get banned!

I believe a lot of things contributed to us yet again failing at a major tournament.

(1) Why play players that have struggled during the season at club level and then think all of a sudden they are going to produce the goods at the tournament (Sterling being a prime example).

(2) If plan A wasn't working (which appeared to be most of the time) we didn't seem to have a clue how to change things. The lack of movement when we were in possession of the ball was unbelievable at times, where have we heard that before?

(3) Why make so many changes for the Slovakia game when we hadn't even won the group?

(4) Playing players out of position

(5) Taking players who haven't been fit for most of the season (Wilshire being one example)

(6) Having no idea of how to break teams down who get players behind the ball.

(7) A defence and goalkeeper which appeared to go into panic mode anytime the oppostion got near the 18 yard box.

(8) Due to the fact that they play in the Premier league a lot of the players believe all the hype written about them and think they only have to step on the pitch against so-called inferior opposition and the game is won.

Will things change? I doubt it as they haven't after past failures at major tournaments and the FA will continue to come out with the same bull****. For me a start would be if some of our so-called stars went abroad to play for a while rather than in the so-called best league in the world but the chances of this happening are very slim to say the least as (1) they would probably have to take a drop in wages unless they went to one of the really big clubs and (2) would those big clubs want them anyway?

Some good points there Shed, thanks.

There are so many similarities to Town's season last year it's untrue. For me England certainly lacked movement. The GK should have been dropped after the first game. Too many big time Charlie's ( usually from the big clubs) getting picked for the squad purely on who they play for or the size of the transfer fee around their neck.
A players club form seemed to be irrelevant - big mistake in my book.

Let's face England are bang average and in many ways the impact of our over paid, over hyped "international" players is almost a magnification of what's going on in the Championship right now. The fees/wages being paid for players does NOT suddenly mean a club is world class or going to be "dead cert" promotion candidates. Ask any Derby fan.

At Club level this season I'm really looking forward to how us underdogs by virtue of our balance sheet will compete with mega rich for PL failure Clubs.

Fluckin g BRING IT ON...........

[arana peligrosa]

On the above, the English have been an average team at international level going back as far as 1970. They get labeled time after time as one of the heavyweights of world soccer and for what ? Still, your mess, your house to get in order.

Now we're at the final game of this years competition, never could have envisaged the two teams involved as potential finalists before start of tournament. Remained resolute from day one that either Spain or Germany would take it, but it's with regret that unable to see past the French as winners at this point in time.

Remember watching the semi-final in '84 when France had that epic game with Portugal and the anguish of the latter as the game entered it's closing stages and not only that, but France have recorded many wins against them in subsequent years at major competition (Euro 2000 semi-final, 2006 World Cup semi-final etc) so going to side with the Portugese for this upcoming final game and hope they can cause some level of upset. It's about time they deserved a win of their own and to beat the French in front of their own fans at the biggest game of the competition, it would represent an achievement of epic proportion.

If they don't do it, then sh*t happens, we move on - but with Ronaldo in your starting line-up you're always in with half a chance. They must often look back on 2004 and that disastrous end game with Greece and so eager to make amends for their fans and country : here at least provides a good opportunity.

[Bluemike]

Ridiculous really, Two poor teams in the final, one cus they are playing on home soil and the other through sheer bloody luck. Quite how germant were not home and dry at HT I do not know, they bossed the game and had France chasing shadows really but putting the ball in the net eluded them. How the ref can give a penalty for absolutely nothing I have no idea but then again it was for France.

I have had limited interest in the tournament anyway but as for the final, well it can do one, not in the slightest bit bothered who wins it although due to the fact i hate Ronaldo I guess France would be slightly more palatable. Thank god this drivel is nearly over.

[marko69]

You think it's been drivel, Mike? Not had much interest in it all but there have been some fairly decent games. Last night Germany must've been good before I tuned in, (1st half, 35th min) because I only remember the French keeper making one save after that, and that was in the 91st min.

Just heard on radio, Wales have open top bus organised for today, and 33K expected to line streets in Cardiff. Can see that being ok for beaten finalists........, but semi finals? Taking nothing away from their achievements, they've been great....... But open top bus tour for semi finals?

[Frosty]

Germany has depth and winning experience.
France has confidence after Iceland win.
Wales has desire and fight.
Portugal has Ronaldo.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to choose Germany as winners. More importantly, depth in a squad is an ingredient for success. Let's see what happens...

That's where you're wrong and don't appreciate the generalization. Any one of the four nations left in could win it and while the Germans may be favorites to many we've seen before on more than one occasion (that) when it gets to the end games all things are possible. Did I believe for one minute Greece would overcome France, Czech Republic (if memory serves) and host nation Portugal back in 2004 in their three final games to achievement - did I f*ck.

It's not just about depth from within or motivation, whatever we class it in : there are many factors, and believe all participating countries remaining could ideally take the ultimate honor in one week, or when the end game occurs. Wales - for them, they got no concerns, whatever they achieve from here is a bonus - but teams like France and the expectation of being the host country, there's no guarantee this will go to script.

What the last response mentioned also : If Wales were to win the damn event (and the English being the only nation to record a victory as team opposition), you can rest assured not only will FIFA have the English in top three position in world rankings when they do their next evaluation, but Wales still finding themselves far behind in double figures and mixing it up with nations such as New Zealand and Morocco.

Provides a level of humor if nothing else.

I for one would be delighted if we were mixing it up with Wales and Morrocco SJ

[herforder]

I think it's been a good competition. Not necessarily for the overall standard of football played, but because the expected outcomes were high jacked by the likes of Wales and Iceland, and with the likes of Croatia and Hungary adding extra to the mix. Come to that, a Portugal v France final wouldn't have been most folks' prediction!

Given Wales' years of mediocrity, with little prospect of much else, can fully understand how their exploits have been so wildly embraced by the entire nation. It's been about more than the football - so let them get max enjoyment from it!

As for England.......another FA master plan in the pipeline. Can't fuc*ing wait!

[Andym]

Just heard on radio, Wales have open top bus organised for today, and 33K expected to line streets in Cardiff. Can see that being ok for beaten finalists........, but semi finals? Taking nothing away from their achievements, they've been great....... But open top bus tour for semi finals?

I believe Ipswich are planning the same if they get beyond the 3rd round of the F. A. Cup....

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I think it's been a good competition. Not necessarily for the overall standard of football played, but because the expected outcomes were high jacked by the likes of Wales and Iceland, and with the likes of Croatia and Hungary adding extra to the mix. Come to that, a Portugal v France final wouldn't have been most folks' prediction!

Given Wales' years of mediocrity, with little prospect of much else, can fully understand how their exploits have been so wildly embraced by the entire nation. It's been about more than the football - so let them get max enjoyment from it!

As for England.......another FA master plan in the pipeline. Can't fuc*ing wait!

Unfortunately the England team consists of a bunch of overpaid namby-pambies of below-average ability, who are nowhere as good as they think they are. Sure, they do wonderful things week-in week-out for their clubs, but that is only because they are surrounded by foreign colleagues who do the bulk of the hard work and invention. Take them out of that environment and put them together, and the result is the really poor team that we have had for many years now. The choice of manager will not make one iota of difference to the team or how it performs (or rather under-performs). There is a solution of course, but I doubt the FA or the Premier League would ever have the balls for it.

[Bluemike]

Yes Marko I do indeed think it has been a load of drivel, 2 or 3 quality games and thats about it for me. As for the germany V France game, the first 30 mins was played pretty much in and around the France penalty box and there really only looked one winner, as we know goals win games so the rest is history.

I also agree entirely with Rossi regarding England's overpaid, average, so called stars, they really arent anywhere near as good as they think they are, in fact I would say some of them are p*ss poor. If we ever have a manager with the balls to pick form players as opposed to big time charlies we may have an outside chance but when you have a moron who selects the likes of Henderson, Wilshire, Sterling over players who had good seasons I.E. Drinkwater, Barkley etc you get this end result.

[marko69]

Must admit, had a tear in my eye seeing Ronaldo cry. I suppose that's the "dad" side of me having sons who play football. Was quite sad to see. Hoping Portugal do this now...., for Ronaldo.

Anyone thinking about typing a "f*ck Ronaldo" post, grow the f*ck up.

[hallamblue]

Not sure why people hate him so much. He's arrogant but show me a professional footballer that isn't. bI think he is an excellent player and the way he can just hang in the air when heading the ball - wow!

[hallamblue]

I think it's been a good competition. Not necessarily for the overall standard of football played, but because the expected outcomes were high jacked by the likes of Wales and Iceland, and with the likes of Croatia and Hungary adding extra to the mix. Come to that, a Portugal v France final wouldn't have been most folks' prediction!

Given Wales' years of mediocrity, with little prospect of much else, can fully understand how their exploits have been so wildly embraced by the entire nation. It's been about more than the football - so let them get max enjoyment from it!

As for England.......another FA master plan in the pipeline. Can't fuc*ing wait!

Unfortunately the England team consists of a bunch of overpaid namby-pambies of below-average ability, who are nowhere as good as they think they are. Sure, they do wonderful things week-in week-out for their clubs, but that is only because they are surrounded by foreign colleagues who do the bulk of the hard work and invention. Take them out of that environment and put them together, and the result is the really poor team that we have had for many years now. The choice of manager will not make one iota of difference to the team or how it performs (or rather under-performs). There is a solution of course, but I doubt the FA or the Premier League would ever have the balls for it.

As usual it all starts at grass roots level. As long as PL continue to buy in foreign players on huge wages the ENGLISH talent will never develop. We need to.go back to the days of a maximum of 3 foreign players per squad

[marko69]

Well the general consensus with Lineker and co was same as you, Mike......, on the whole, sh*te tournament. I must've chose the games I watched wisely!

Well done Portugal. Minutes from exiting the tournament at group stages, and eventual winners. Got to congratulate that.

And to Mark Clattenburg...... Decent enough performance, but for F U C K sake, you can't BOOK a player for something that DIDNT fking happen. Hopefully you get that Shyte sorted before your season starts.

[arana peligrosa]

Take this opportunity to congratulate Portugal on their success this night. While not quite the surprise winners as say Denmark and Greece from previous tournaments, they have finally achieved a recognized honor that with such past players of caliber, few would argue they are undeserving of this first championship achievement. Did to France what Greece did to them in 2004 and pleased for Ronaldo that he has been a part of a team that has achieved European soccer's greatest prize - people want to berate him for whatever reason - that's their business - I only recognize him as a playing individual of extraordinary talent and ability, and after the early injury incident, real pleased the game was salvaged and he went on to eventual glory.

No fan of France, too many Arsenal and West Ham c*cks at last viewing and as they put the Irish out : too bad - the opportunity was there and you blew it. sh*t happens, it's another learning experience.

Say again after France's long list of victories over the Portugese at various major competition going back to 1984 to present time, it's about damn time the latter had their way and tonight's score will have gone a long way to righting previous wrongs. One thing that has to be mentioned is that I'm sorry Eusebio was not able to see this achievement with his late passing - he would have been tremendously proud of his nation and wasn't quite able to witness until it was too late.

Let's not f*ck about with this, in all probability this will be the last European Championships event I may get to live through but as Portugal as eventual winners, it's a statistic that will sit with some satisfaction in the remaining time. As for Mark Clattenburg, the individual is strictly amateur level : I wouldn't put him in charge of a junior match-up - never mind the greatest event in European soccer, but as don't get to make such decisions, we have to go with the recommendations.

Not for the first time in the final of a European or World Championship, the best team didn't win, but nobody in Lisbon will care about that and as before, pleased that after all these years of trying, they have finally achieved at international level.

[marko69]

For the record, I think Clattenburg had a decent game, and he's a very good referee in general. Was only alluding to the booking of Laurent Koscielny? That was indeed very amateurish. Ok, maybe he didn't quite see who's hand the ball hit, so yes, give a free kick, ....., but you can't book the player if you are unsure. He should've actually just waved play on as he obviously didn't have a clue what had happened. If that ball hadve dipped under the bar at the resulting free kick, Clattenburg would've been making headlines this morning. Decent enough ref, but needs to sort that type of Shyte out. That's the Shyte Martin Atkinson gets up to. He's England's joke ref.