Euro 2024 Thread

[Bluemike]

Thought I would set up a thread for the Euros in case anyone is interested, we can keep all the chat in one place.
It's coming home !!!!
LMFAO
We may scrape through the group stage.
What's people's thoughts on the squad etc ?
Who are your favourites to win the tournament?

[ITFC2024]

The squad is unbalanced with an ageing defence, uncertain selections for midfield and forwards played out of position. Southgate has had his heyday, and I don't expect him to remain as manager much longer. This could be the final nail in his coffin.

[Cabanas Blue]

I think Town would give them a good game I'm not really interested in International games I expect I will half watch some games.

[marko69]

As a Scot, I’ll watch the group stages and that’ll be that. And i’ll get pissed and enjoy it.

[Shed on tour]

Can’t see us going very far at all. Although we should get out of the group, once again it will be a case of the first decent side we meet it will be over and out. What I would say is if the 2006 World Cup is anything to go by as long as they don’t act like dicks our fans will have a great time as the Germans were brilliant hosts for that tournament.

[shabba]

The squad is unbalanced with an ageing defence, uncertain selections for midfield and forwards played out of position. Southgate has had his heyday, and I don't expect him to remain as manager much longer. This could be the final nail in his coffin.

Yeah I’d go with most of that too, defense is weak point but attacking positions are an embarrassment of riches and ‘should’ do well but let’s see.

If we don’t make semis I think Southgate will go.

Annoyingly I’m abroad on a family holiday during alot of the group stages so probably won’t get much time to watch games.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Personally, I think we'll go out in the first stage.

Southgate's approach last night summed up everything that's wrong about him - he played 2 holding midfielders at home to Iceland. He's about as adventurous as a very un-adventurous thing, but I suppose that's what you get when you have an ex defender (and not a particularly good one at that) as manager.

[Ricco]

Usual overhyped tosh. The defence is as weak as I can remember for England, and these 8 or so super fabulous mega wonderstar forwards that we have have yet to prove they have any chemistry whatsoever, and can perform together.

Yes they can win it, should they be favourites? Absolutely no blimmin' way!!!

Oh and second what Rossi says. I think Southgate's lack of, well, anything really, has been covered by the quality of player that has come in, and the underdog morale during the last two tournaments. The fact remains that he seems completely bang average at best, and I'm almost optimistic that we'll flop, he'll be turfed out, and then we can get some real quality in the coaching set up for a run at the WC so as not to waste another generation of talent.

[Steve]

Personally, I think we'll go out in the first stage.

Southgate's approach last night summed up everything that's wrong about him - he played 2 holding midfielders at home to Iceland. He's about as adventurous as a very un-adventurous thing, but I suppose that's what you get when you have an ex defender (and not a particularly good one at that) as manager.

We don't always agree Rossi but i am 100% in agreement with you here. England have the players to win this, We had the players to win the last Euro and world cup. What we don't have is the manager. His tactics suck raw eggs

Come on Gareth, cut loose the leash and let the players play

[arana peligrosa]

Caught subject title, was 100 per cent convinced had been inaugurated by someone other. Was proved incorrect, was a sense of surprise if not relief and we move on.

Years back would have made an effort or held enough enthusiasm to celebrate or really involve in these things but times change and the same level of which mentioned just isn't prevalent any longer. Hope the goddamn thing passes quick and can then focus on domestics and get ready for the Town season ahead in the EPL. That's what's important, that's where the real interest or excitement lies.

Hope to win - Spain (although Scotland would be mighty fine if only improbable or too ridiculous for even mention)

Likely winners - France or Netherlands

[marko69]

(although Scotland would be mighty fine if only improbable or too ridiculous for even mention)

Thats why you’ll NEVER hear a Scotsman mention it. When it went tits in 78, was never mentioned again.

[ITFC2024]

Lovely story! Good luck Lewis!

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/arti ... 55153lxzxo

[Blue Wilf]

Right now, I honestly have no passion for the Euro's at all I am afraid. Sad as years ago, I would have been all over them (and probably going as I did in 1996, 2004 and WC 2006 but right now, I don't care. I think (hope) that as the tournament progresses, I will start to engage. I hope England do well but just cannot gather enthusiasm right now

[Frosty]

Has the draw for Englands penalty shoot out opponents been made yet?

[Mauswara]

Has the draw for Englands penalty shoot out opponents been made yet?

:wink:

Don't remind me, pretty sure I saw Kane's penalty kick in orbit over here last night.

[Bluemike]

Right now, I honestly have no passion for the Euro's at all I am afraid. Sad as years ago, I would have been all over them (and probably going as I did in 1996, 2004 and WC 2006 but right now, I don't care. I think (hope) that as the tournament progresses, I will start to engage. I hope England do well but just cannot gather enthusiasm right now

I'm the same tbh although I've never been into international in any great way but I did the thread as some may like to chat as tournament is on, it just doesn't grip me.

[hallamblue]

Like a few others it’s not really grabbing my attention much atm. Losing like we did to Iceland might be a red herring given the trial ? Team he fielded. But think we’ll scrap through group stage and go out at the next game after that and that’ll be Southgate’s lot.

[Mauswara]

Like a few others it’s not really grabbing my attention much atm. Losing like we did to Iceland might be a red herring given the trial ? Team he fielded. But think we’ll scrap through group stage and go out at the next game after that and that’ll be Southgate’s lot.

Dunno mate, the 1966 final in glorious black and white still lives in my memory. Nobby Stiles with his front teeth out.

sorry, replied to the wrong post

[hallamblue]

lol not to worry…. Happens to the best of us .

[Blue Wilf]

Right now, I honestly have no passion for the Euro's at all I am afraid. Sad as years ago, I would have been all over them (and probably going as I did in 1996, 2004 and WC 2006 but right now, I don't care. I think (hope) that as the tournament progresses, I will start to engage. I hope England do well but just cannot gather enthusiasm right now

I'm the same tbh although I've never been into international in any great way but I did the thread as some may like to chat as tournament is on, it just doesn't grip me.

Yes, good plan. It will be interesting to see if the thread traffic increases as the tournament progresses!

[marko69]

Right now, I honestly have no passion for the Euro's at all I am afraid. Sad as years ago, I would have been all over them (and probably going as I did in 1996, 2004 and WC 2006 but right now, I don't care. I think (hope) that as the tournament progresses, I will start to engage. I hope England do well but just cannot gather enthusiasm right now

I'm the same tbh although I've never been into international in any great way but I did the thread as some may like to chat as tournament is on, it just doesn't grip me.

Yes, good plan. It will be interesting to see if the thread traffic increases as the tournament progresses!

Yep, it will increase for sure. People are secretly interested and borderline excited. They’re big tournaments. And the traffic is usually decent on this forum.

https://tractor-boys.com/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=68393

[AzzurroMark]

Like many on here, I'm not really feeling much interest in Euro 24 at the moment, but then I had a Eureka moment which might just add a little bit of a buzz to this thread! There are 24 teams taking part and I realised coincidentally that our prediction league ended with 24 players! I looked for the FIFA world rankings for each team taking part, they are as follows;

Team FIFA Rank
France 2
Belgium 3
England 4
Portugal 6
Netherlands 7
Spain 8
Italy 9
Croatia 10
Germany 16
Switzerland 19
Denmark 21
Ukraine 22
Austria 25
Hungary 26
Poland 28
Serbia 33
Czech Republic 36
Scotland 39
Turkey 40
Romania 46
Slovakia 48
Slovenia 57
Albania 66
Georgia 75

On that basis the teams would be allocated as follows? I've not fully thought this idea out as to the possible fairness of my system and perhaps someone could come up with a better idea? Position 12 was held by No.9 who is no longer here. There are other players on here who might not take part (All White as an example) who could be replaced by a more regular poster on the forum?
1) Frosty - France
2) Bluemike - Belgium
3) Blue Wilf - England (Bet you're delighted with that?
4) Tangfastic - Portugal
5) Cabanas Blue - Netherlands
6) Mach Polish Blue - Spain
7) Marko69 - Italy
Wellywood - Croatia
9) JohnnyB - Germany
10) Dazzz67 - Switzerland
11) Charnwood - Denmark
12) ? - Ukraine
13) Azzuromark - Austria
14) BlueBlood - Hungary
15) Shed on Tour - Poland
16) Shabba - Serbia
17) Mauswara - Czech Republic
18) Arana Peligrosa - Scotland
19) Lucy - Turkey
20) All White - Romania
21) Gold&Black - Slovakia
22) HallamBlue - Slovenia
23) Todd66 - Albania
24) Jimmyt - Georgia

Any thoughts guys as to whether this idea is a runner?

[arana peligrosa]

Found out some 24 hours after the last English game they somehow saw defeat, again, to Iceland.

First thought, that's something of a fun score until later realized they wouldn't have ventured out their own half the entire duration or attempted a shot in anger at the opposition goal. (They're not going to risk injury or bust their asses for a trivial exhibition game days before a major competition). Bermuda could have taken a result from it.

The FIFA rankings provided appear dubious. Germany can't be as bad as 16 in the world and Denmark are far better than the place they got them at. Czech Republic (easily the best team at Euro 2004 but somehow didn't win it) are clearly far prepared than a 36 ranking. Would be real interesting sometime to see who compiles these things.

[Blue Wilf]

Like many on here, I'm not really feeling much interest in Euro 24 at the moment, but then I had a Eureka moment which might just add a little bit of a buzz to this thread! There are 24 teams taking part and I realised coincidentally that our prediction league ended with 24 players! I looked for the FIFA world rankings for each team taking part, they are as follows;

Team FIFA Rank
France 2
Belgium 3
England 4
Portugal 6
Netherlands 7
Spain 8
Italy 9
Croatia 10
Germany 16
Switzerland 19
Denmark 21
Ukraine 22
Austria 25
Hungary 26
Poland 28
Serbia 33
Czech Republic 36
Scotland 39
Turkey 40
Romania 46
Slovakia 48
Slovenia 57
Albania 66
Georgia 75

On that basis the teams would be allocated as follows? I've not fully thought this idea out as to the possible fairness of my system and perhaps someone could come up with a better idea? Position 12 was held by No.9 who is no longer here. There are other players on here who might not take part (All White as an example) who could be replaced by a more regular poster on the forum?
1) Frosty - France
2) Bluemike - Belgium
3) Blue Wilf - England (Bet you're delighted with that?
4) Tangfastic - Portugal
5) Cabanas Blue - Netherlands
6) Mach Polish Blue - Spain
7) Marko69 - Italy
Wellywood - Croatia
9) JohnnyB - Germany
10) Dazzz67 - Switzerland
11) Charnwood - Denmark
12) ? - Ukraine
13) Azzuromark - Austria
14) BlueBlood - Hungary
15) Shed on Tour - Poland
16) Shabba - Serbia
17) Mauswara - Czech Republic
18) Arana Peligrosa - Scotland
19) Lucy - Turkey
20) All White - Romania
21) Gold&Black - Slovakia
22) HallamBlue - Slovenia
23) Todd66 - Albania
24) Jimmyt - Georgia

Any thoughts guys as to whether this idea is a runner?

Bloody hell - you have either been drinking all day or it's been a very quiet weekend in the Azzurro household! This weekend was the first with no footy for ages so it has been a tough one. I even watched India vPakistan in the T20 cricket for some excitement! I think you are suggesting a sweepstake - right? Look - anything to try and fill the monotony of no Ipswich related news works for me so whatever it is, I am in

[ITFC2024]

Like many on here, I'm not really feeling much interest in Euro 24 at the moment, but then I had a Eureka moment which might just add a little bit of a buzz to this thread! There are 24 teams taking part and I realised coincidentally that our prediction league ended with 24 players! I looked for the FIFA world rankings for each team taking part, they are as follows;

Team FIFA Rank
France 2
Belgium 3
England 4
Portugal 6
Netherlands 7
Spain 8
Italy 9
Croatia 10
Germany 16
Switzerland 19
Denmark 21
Ukraine 22
Austria 25
Hungary 26
Poland 28
Serbia 33
Czech Republic 36
Scotland 39
Turkey 40
Romania 46
Slovakia 48
Slovenia 57
Albania 66
Georgia 75

On that basis the teams would be allocated as follows? I've not fully thought this idea out as to the possible fairness of my system and perhaps someone could come up with a better idea? Position 12 was held by No.9 who is no longer here. There are other players on here who might not take part (All White as an example) who could be replaced by a more regular poster on the forum?
1) Frosty - France
2) Bluemike - Belgium
3) Blue Wilf - England (Bet you're delighted with that?
4) Tangfastic - Portugal
5) Cabanas Blue - Netherlands
6) Mach Polish Blue - Spain
7) Marko69 - Italy
Wellywood - Croatia
9) JohnnyB - Germany
10) Dazzz67 - Switzerland
11) Charnwood - Denmark
12) ? - Ukraine
13) Azzuromark - Austria
14) BlueBlood - Hungary
15) Shed on Tour - Poland
16) Shabba - Serbia
17) Mauswara - Czech Republic
18) Arana Peligrosa - Scotland
19) Lucy - Turkey
20) All White - Romania
21) Gold&Black - Slovakia
22) HallamBlue - Slovenia
23) Todd66 - Albania
24) Jimmyt - Georgia

Any thoughts guys as to whether this idea is a runner?

Brilliant idea! I’ll take a spot if there’s any left!

[marko69]

AzzurroMark……… that is superb.

What a great idea. And very happy with defending champions, Chellini…… err, sorry…… Italy

SAINT……. You got us sweaties!! Well done

IT24 looks set to be in next seasons prediction League…….. so what do you think, Azzurro? Give IT24 Number 9’s Ukraine?

[AzzurroMark]

AzzurroMark……… that is superb.

What a great idea. And very happy with defending champions, Chellini…… err, sorry…… Italy

SAINT……. You got us sweaties!! Well done

IT24 looks set to be in next seasons prediction League…….. so what do you think, Azzurro? Give IT24 Number 9’s Ukraine?

Yes definitely, 1st come first served too I say.

As for getting Italy, that's who I'd have wanted to be.

[AzzurroMark]

1) Frosty - France
2) Bluemike - Belgium
3) Blue Wilf - England (Bet you're delighted with that?
4) Tangfastic - Portugal
5) Cabanas Blue - Netherlands
6) Mach Polish Blue - Spain
7) Marko69 - Italy
Wellywood - Croatia
9) JohnnyB - Germany
10) Dazzz67 - Switzerland
11) Charnwood - Denmark
12) ITFC2024 - Ukraine
13) Azzuromark - Austria
14) BlueBlood - Hungary
15) Shed on Tour - Poland
16) Shabba - Serbia
17) Mauswara - Czech Republic
18) Arana Peligrosa - Scotland
19) Lucy - Turkey
20) All White - Romania
21) Gold&Black - Slovakia
22) HallamBlue - Slovenia
23) Todd66 - Albania
24) Jimmyt - Georgia

[Mauswara]

Oh well, at least I didn't get Scotland.

[Charnwood]

A few months ago I was really interested in the Euro 2024 Tournament and was looking forward to it with some enthusiasm thinking it would give us our best chance for a while of winning a significant competition. However as the tournament has got closer my interest has waned to the extent that I’ve missed our last two preparation games and even worse didn’t know anything about them until the day after they’d been played, this for me is very rare.
I guess being away for 6 weeks hadn’t helped and neither had the significant time difference although I still found time to watch the Championship play off final which shows where my interest is mostly held.
Unfortunately our opening game v Serbia kicks off at 12 noon here on Sunday lunch time so no way am I going to get to watch it just a few hours before we leave LA straight after Fathers Day lunch with my family. Maybe I’ll find some enthusiasm to watch on Thursday when we’re back in Spain assuming the jet lag not causing chaos.
I still think we’ve plenty of goals in this team but just like with town, this team’s defence looks really fragile.
If we don’t make the final I think this could be the last time we watch a Gareth Southgate team.