EURO 2020 / 2021 CHAT

[goldandblack]

Just testing out that moving flag thing, Wolfie. It really works!

it works mate, if it wasn't against us i would be waving that flag,

[Charnwood]

After that performance I think Italy will be as much worried about playing us as we need to worry about them. Of course both teams need to worry about their semi final opponents first but an Italy v England final is looking more and more likely.

Just hope Number 9 was watching and Dubai Blue had no problem getting into the stadium without EU residency.

It certainly feels like “Footballs Coming Home”

[goldandblack]

After that performance I think Italy will be as much worried about playing us as we need to worry about them. Of course both teams need to worry about their semi final opponents first but an Italy v England final is looking more and more likely.

Just hope Number 9 was watching and Dubai Blue had no problem getting into the stadium without EU residency.

It certainly feels like “Footballs Coming Home”

I did see a couple of Town fans on the TV at the match, so could have been Dubai Blue

[Shed on tour]

Well Done England, another great performance, and well done Ukraine on a fantastic Euro's, wishing the folk of the Ukraine a peaceful future,

I think our subs bench is what could win this for us, Did Shed make it to Rome ?

No mate even if we were able to go I was giving it a miss. Haven’t even applied for a semi-final ticket through the travel club although I would have been guaranteed one. Was in Moscow for the World Cup semi-final and don’t want to be there if we lose another semi.

However, if we do reach the final I certainly will be there as again would be guaranteed a ticket through the travel club.

[number 9]

Super performance! I’m not concerned about attacking anymore. Shaw, Sterling and Kane the men of the match. Brilliant towering header by Maguire. A few bonehead mistakes, but all in all a cracking display.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Great result tonight - we're getting better and better.

Only negative for me was Masonturbator Mount - he offered absolutely nothing, and how he gets into the team before Grealish is totally beyond me.

[Charnwood]

I was surprised Grealish didn’t get some game time tonight but Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choices. Team selection on Wednesday will be very difficult but expect Denmark to be much tougher opponents on Wednesday than Ukraine.

To be honest I can’t recall England having a better squad of players for a very long time if ever. The quality even on the bench is unbelievable.

[arana peligrosa]

It's hard for some to be caught up in the adulation and splendour of this. Is it fair to point out up until now every opponent they've faced has been poor or ineffective and they've had very much an easy ride of it. Not only that but near enough every game has - and will be - with a home advantage.

Not really fair when most other competitors have to play games all around Europe and travel their asses off while the whole time near enough you get to play out fixtures on home soil. I'm sorry if people don't like it, however from a outside perspective something just doesn't sit right there.

I'd like to see them face off against either Italy or Spain (the former would admittedly offer more of a challenge) and on neutral ground, if they can win that then maybe they'd be deserving of a title. Denmark winning again outright would be a nice touch after what occurred to one of their team but unfortunately going to have to rule them out from here on.

[number 9]

There were far more Ukrainian fans than English fans in Rome. (Rant edited by number 9)

[bluejacko]

It’s odd really when people say England only won because of this a that excuses!
We can only beat what’s in front of us and the way they are at the moment just enjoy it for a change
Anyway IF we are lucky and good enough to win it Germany,Denmark Italy/Spain doesn’t look easy to me!

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

It's hard for some to be caught up in the adulation and splendour of this. Is it fair to point out up until now every opponent they've faced has been poor or ineffective and they've had very much an easy ride of it. Not only that but near enough every game has - and will be - with a home advantage.

Not really fair when most other competitors have to play games all around Europe and travel their asses off while the whole time near enough you get to play out fixtures on home soil. I'm sorry if people don't like it, however from a outside perspective something just doesn't sit right there.

I'd like to see them face off against either Italy or Spain (the former would admittedly offer more of a challenge) and on neutral ground, if they can win that then maybe they'd be deserving of a title. Denmark winning again outright would be a nice touch after what occurred to one of their team but unfortunately going to have to rule them out from here on.

I think that you ought to change where you get your grapes from

[bluejacko]

I agree that almost all our matches at Wembley is more than a little unfair.

I suppose any nation that holds a World Cup, Euros etc and then goes on to win it is ‘unfair’ then?

[hallamblue]

I agree that almost all our matches at Wembley is more than a little unfair.

Wasn’t the competition meant to be played in UK anyway in 2020? So England ( just like ‘66) would have had home advantage Home advantage is just that , in whatever competition . This Country had its best haul of Olympic medals in 2012 when it was staged in this country. But let’s be honest here , sometimes there’s MORE pressure playing in front of your own fans where they’re in the majority . I think Weds game at Wembley will be a big challenge for England . They’ll be more pressure on our players than Denmark’s I think .

[bluejacko]

No because they would be recognised as the host nation. We are not the host nation yet have played all our matches at home.

Just to be a bit argumentative here, England 4 Ukraine 0 in Rome that’s in Italy isn’t it

[Charnwood]

I agree that almost all our matches at Wembley is more than a little unfair.

.... and our best performance so far was at the Olympic Stadium in Rome where we didn’t have the pressure of playing in front of our own fans, and our previous best performance was two years earlier in Seville when we won 2-3 against Spain.

There has always been a home Nation, three times more recently shared between smaller host nations that’s how it works. This year the competition has taken a different format with the Group Stages being held in a number of different cities across Europe which meant that Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Germany as well as England have all played all Group Matches at home. The Round of 16 Stadiums onwards were already pre determined and England was chosen as the Semi Finals and Final venue in 2014 after Germany withdrew their bid to host.

In the early days of the competition when only 4 countries played in the Finals the host nation ran out winners twice, Spain in 1964 and Italy in 1968.
Since then the competition has been expanded twice with 8 teams competing in the Finals since 1980, and 16 teams in the Finals since 1996. and since Italy’s win in 1968 only one host nation has won the Euro’s and that was France 17 years ago when France won the Euro 1984 Tournament.
I really don’t get this home advantage crap blurted out by people who just can’t stand the success of our National team, have low expectations and simply get kicks out of trying to knock winners, I can only assume these knockers are born losers.

At the end of the day the best team will win the Competition not necessarily the host nation as is borne out by previous results/winners.

[Tangfastic]

I do think this format is strange and would have been better if England had played away from Wembley more, but it’s UEFA’s decision. I never worried before about playing a host nation on their turf, so not sure how much advantage it is or if at all. If I was a top footballer I’d want to play in the best stadiums and the best pitches wherever that is.

I do wonder if some are genuinely concerned about this being unfair or just another stick to beat ourselves with. We’re probably European Champions at self-loathing. It’s seems very fashionable.

[hallamblue]

No because they would be recognised as the host nation. We are not the host nation yet have played all our matches at home.

Just to be a bit argumentative here, England 4 Ukraine 0 in Rome that’s in Italy isn’t it

[bluejacko]

I do think this format is strange and would have been better if England had played away from Wembley more, but it’s UEFA’s decision. I never worried before about playing a host nation on their turf, so not sure how much advantage it is or if at all. If I was a top footballer I’d want to play in the best stadiums and the best pitches wherever that is.

I do wonder if some are genuinely concerned about this being unfair or just another stick to beat ourselves with. We’re probably European Champions at self-loathing. It’s seems very fashionable.

Spot on ! Sad isn’t it?

[Bluemike]

I'm not the biggest international football fan but christ let's embrace it and give credit to the England boys, after this pandemic crap its just what's needed !!! Let's win this thing

[Steve and Jo]

I'm not the biggest international football fan but christ let's embrace it and give credit to the England boys, after this pandemic crap its just what's needed !!! Let's win this thing

Well said Mike, totally agree with you here

Saint Jude aside who just seems to dislike the English, whatever, lets just enjoy the ride. Hard game Wednesday and be hard final if get there but for now.. Rejoice

[marko69]

I'll chip in on this and let you know why the England Men's National Team pi$$ the majority of the world off. It's the media and no doubt a large majority of the fanbase, (and I do not include you in that Shed because you're a "well travelled" honest to god supporter)...., but the fanbase / media change like the weather. You DO NOT get behind the team in adversity. You slap your team and manager in the face and it's plastered all over the press. There is nothing surer that media pressure would've had Southgate in the dole queue had you lost to the Germans.
"We need someone better for 2022" etc etc

Other countries, Austria, Iceland, ourselves, Scotland, belt out the national anthem proud as FK when we're soundly beaten, (which happens a lot)......, but not England. You pounce. And that's why the majority couldn't give a rats arse when you win knowing that the majority of the fans scrambling about looking for tickets are also part of the other side of that coin.

But a very excellent win v Ukraine last night, very convincing and for the first time I saw a side that could beat Italy, so you do have a viable chance of lifting that trophy. And I actually like Gareth Southgate very much. He looks (away from football) a decent, down to Earth, honest human being with a big passionate English heart. For him alone, I wouldn't be bothered at all if he wins the trophy.

9......, ??? You're Saint Judes biggest ally! WTF is going on? He has been writing eccentric stuff for FKN YEARS!!!

[goldandblack]

Well Done England, another great performance, and well done Ukraine on a fantastic Euro's, wishing the folk of the Ukraine a peaceful future,

I think our subs bench is what could win this for us, Did Shed make it to Rome ?

No mate even if we were able to go I was giving it a miss. Haven’t even applied for a semi-final ticket through the travel club although I would have been guaranteed one. Was in Moscow for the World Cup semi-final and don’t want to be there if we lose another semi.

However, if we do reach the final I certainly will be there as again would be guaranteed a ticket through the travel club.

Yeah don't blame you Shed, I was worried you had travelled and missed the game by being turned back,, I think its well-deserved for this country.and a long time coming,

My thinking is, although I was against all these foreign player in our leagues was holding back the England Team, and the home countries.
Looking at it now is, In the past the , Lampards, Ferdinands, Gerrards etc etc were beyond learning, and always picked regardless.

Now moving on a few years our young British players are actually improving playing alongside
some of the best players in the World.

And being managed by some of the World’s top managers.

Germany don't look half the team they were once, perhaps it’s to do with the restriction of foreign players in their domestic leagues?

Scotland, Wales, and Norther Island seem all-round better sides at the moment.

Let’s win this trophy and move onwards and upwards, we deserve it for the support our traveling fans over the years have had to endure, especially our Tilly.

[bluejacko]

I'll chip in on this and let you know why the England Men's National Team pi$$ the majority of the world off. It's the media and no doubt a large majority of the fanbase, (and I do not include you in that Shed because you're a "well travelled" honest to god supporter)...., but the fanbase / media change like the weather. You DO NOT get behind the team in adversity. You slap your team and manager in the face and it's plastered all over the press. There is nothing surer that media pressure would've had Southgate in the dole queue had you lost to the Germans.
"We need someone better for 2022" etc etc

Other countries, Austria, Iceland, ourselves, Scotland, belt out the national anthem proud as FK when we're soundly beaten, (which happens a lot)......, but not England. You pounce. And that's why the majority couldn't give a rats arse when you win knowing that the majority of the fans scrambling about looking for tickets are also part of the other side of that coin.

But a very excellent win v Ukraine last night, very convincing and for the first time I saw a side that could beat Italy, so you do have a viable chance of lifting that trophy. And I actually like Gareth Southgate very much. He looks (away from football) a decent, down to Earth, honest human being with a big passionate English heart. For him alone, I wouldn't be bothered at all if he wins the trophy.

9......, ??? You're Saint Judes biggest ally! WTF is going on? He has been writing eccentric stuff for FKN YEARS!!!

Nice rant Marco,if that was the case fans would have been calling for Southgates head after the bad nations league games.
If the rest of the world hates us so be it! When England ‘fans’ slag off the team because we haven’t beaten ‘anyone’ yet that’s a different matter.

[marko69]

"Hate" is too strong a word, Jacko. Hate is for the proper morons.

It's usually after Euros or WC's. Nations Cup ----- >> no one G's AF.

[bluejacko]

"Hate" is too strong a word, Jacko. Hate is for the proper morons.

It's usually after Euros or WC's. Nations Cup ----- >> no one G's AF.

no problem, you hit a raw nerve I am sick and tired of being told I should be virtually ashamed to be English or racist if I don’t happen to agree with someone else’s point of view.(rant over)

[marko69]

Its the English tabloid press, Jacko. No one else really at the end of the day. Certainly nothing to be ashamed about regarding being English. They (the press) fuel both the impatience amongst supporters and rest of the worlds almost sheer delight with joy and (throwing parties) when England lose…… (again, morons also do that)

That first post wasnt a rant by the way. The words were thought out carefully so as to remain “neither here nor there” regarding England. You sensed “hate” & “ashamed” & even “racism”…… but it genuinely was only a post to say that everyone and their dug knows what would’ve happened if England lost to Germany.

Denmark won’t be easy but I can’t see them beating England. And if Spain in the final…… just take the trophy home next wednesday night.

[goldandblack]

Its the English tabloid press, Jacko. No one else really at the end of the day. Certainly nothing to be ashamed about regarding being English. They (the press) fuel both the impatience amongst supporters and rest of the worlds almost sheer delight with joy and (throwing parties) when England lose…… (again, morons also do that)

That first post wasnt a rant by the way. The words were thought out carefully so as to remain “neither here nor there” regarding England. You sensed “hate” & “ashamed” & even “racism”…… but it genuinely was only a post to say that everyone and their dug knows what would’ve happened if England lost to Germany.

Denmark won’t be easy but I can’t see them beating England. And if Spain in the final…… just take the trophy home next wednesday night.

the press are the curse of most problems, and they are getting really lazy with there journalism, should be ashamed of themselves or even taken to court on some of there lies, although even if they are the papers pay as they have already made there blood money,

Anyway back on Topic, ENGLAND 3- DENMARK 1,

The Geeeermans got Egg on there faces
The Danish have had there bacon
And the Italians can Pizza Off

You don't think i am making a bit of a meal of it do you ?

[marko69]

^^ ^^

Certainly getting us hungry with that post, Wolfie. Going to have to go slam a pizza in the oven.

[Dubai Blue]

Apologies not to have responded to the earlier messages. Was travelling back to Krakow all day yesterday.

Had a fantastic night in Roma as you can imagine. You all saw the game and could see how much in control we were throughout with Luke Shaw impressing for me in particular.

No issues getting in the stadium Charny, thanks for the concern, nobody was interested in anything other than the ticket, ID and negative PCR. Bloody nice stadium it is too with all those Roman statues and the aromatic Roman pines as background on the way in.

Somebody mentioned that there were more Ukr fans than England upthread. Nope, they had one corner and we ruled pretty much the rest of the ground and it was pretty much non-stop singing. The players and manager were out on the pitch long after the whistle thanking the fans who had come from far and wide and spent shedloads (sorry Shed ) of cash to get there. Lots of good natured mixing too which is always nice.

Even better the walk back to the hotel on a warm Summer night took us through a fantastic bar area which was absolutely packed with fine local specimens. I sat with my mate (who had travelled from Riga) and took in the scenery until the early hours. It felt like years since it was possible to be out in a crowd like that, probably because it has been.

Great night. Only wish it would be possible to travel for the semi but then I'm sure zero chance to get a ticket anyway. Probably wouldn't have been able to get one for Rome but for the pandemic.

I don't see any reason why we can't go all the way. There are only good teams left now, but we are one of them

[goldandblack]

Could this be the ultimate in pizza boxes Marco..