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Post by spot51 on Jun 29, 2021 8:28:27 GMT
Morning Scummers
Has a Round of 16 ever been so exciting? I think not.
I've looked at the squad lists for many of the sides and it is interesting to see where the bulk of the footballers play.
England 118
Germany 90
Italy 70
Spain 39
Russia 35
It is not surprising to find many countries star players play for top clubs in top leagues but what I hadn't clocked is the volume of their squads also playing
top level football. Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria et al are packed with players playing for decent clubs in top European leagues so,
on a squad by squad basis, the gulf in class between qualifiers is smaller now than it has ever been. The best 11 from 26 pretty good footballers is going to
be a good, well coached unit and, if you get the alchemy of fitness, teamwork and good mental attitude right, on their day almost anybody can beat anybody
else.
Consequently I have no idea what will happen in todays last 2 Round of 16 games. I suspect that Sweden will edge out Ukraine and that Germany's tournament
nous may be too much for the "Three Lines" (as Soccer Guy would say) but I know nothing and there are few odds that would have me risking my hard-earned
on backing any of them. I do, however, get to write about it as Channers has asked me to report on both matches.
I remain surprised that Germany are the last side standing for the Group of F(FS) but, for the reasons outlined above, anyone is capable of beating anyone else
at these Euros so bring it on.
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Post by saintpaddy on Jun 29, 2021 8:35:30 GMT
Morning Scummers Has a Round of 16 ever been so exciting? I think not. I've looked at the squad lists for many of the sides and it is interesting to see where the bulk of the footballers play. England 118 Germany 90 Italy 70 Spain 39 Russia 35 It is not surprising to find many countries star players play for top clubs in top leagues but what I hadn't clocked is the volume of their squads also playing top level football. Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria et al are packed with players playing for decent clubs in top European leagues so, on a squad by squad basis, the gulf in class between qualifiers is smaller now than it has ever been. The best 11 from 26 pretty good footballers is going to be a good, well coached unit and, if you get the alchemy of fitness, teamwork and good mental attitude right, on their day almost anybody can beat anybody else. Consequently I have no idea what will happen in todays last 2 Round of 16 games. I suspect that Sweden will edge out Ukraine and that Germany's tournament nous may be too much for the "Three Lines" (as Soccer Guy would say) but I know nothing and there are few odds that would have me risking my hard-earned on backing any of them. I do, however, get to write about it as Channers has asked me to report on both matches. I remain surprised that Germany are the last side standing for the Group of F(FS) but, for the reasons outlined above, anyone is capable of beating anyone else at these Euros so bring it on. Just makes you wonder when the bubble will burst. Money will not always find it's way to Sky as it does now and the next few years will be pretty crucial. I often think back to the days when a team like Saints could finish second in the League and would love to see a return. |
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Post by Furry Frank The Combat Wombat on Jun 29, 2021 8:55:05 GMT
Copper-bottom guarantee that tonight's game will be as dull as last night's ones were exciting. Zzzouthgate.
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Post by arfurdent on Jun 29, 2021 9:01:02 GMT
Copper-bottom guarantee that tonight's game will be as dull as last night's ones were exciting. Zzzouthgate. that is so very true, they will try to bore the Hun to defeat |
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Post by jickster on Jun 29, 2021 10:39:24 GMT
The bad news is that the England band are back for tonight's game. The one thing that unites all fans is that everybody hates that band, yet they are apparently paid to attend!
As for the game, yes it will be different from last night's matches. I was defending England's supposed boring tag before the tournament by pointing out the number of goals we scored in qualifying. But Southgate was probably right that playing in a way that you beat Kosovo 5-3 probably isn't the way to win a tournament. It is open to criticism for not 'having a go' if we lose, but the fact is that he's got England playing with better control of games than we have traditionally had. Whether that's going to pay off is another matter, but he does have a plan which is more than we normally see from England at these tournaments.
I don't know what to expect in terms of a result tonight, or even team selection. The choice of full backs alone will be really interesting to see.
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Post by channonite on Jun 29, 2021 13:07:47 GMT
A binary result is on the cards. So far England's games have been 1-0, 0-0, 1-0, so it's on the cards that a single goal will be enough. I am being patriotic and saying 1-0, while thinking that Sodt's Law will apply and it will be 0-1
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Post by arfurdent on Jun 29, 2021 13:24:24 GMT
A binary result is on the cards. So far England's games have been 1-0, 0-0, 1-0, so it's on the cards that a single goal will be enough. I am being patriotic and saying 1-0, while thinking that Sodt's Law will apply and it will be 0-1 does 0-10 fit that mask? |
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Post by channonite on Jun 29, 2021 16:07:03 GMT
A binary result is on the cards. So far England's games have been 1-0, 0-0, 1-0, so it's on the cards that a single goal will be enough. I am being patriotic and saying 1-0, while thinking that Sodt's Law will apply and it will be 0-1 does 0-10 fit that mask? No binary is just 0 or 1. 10 is decimal.  |
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Post by channonite on Jun 29, 2021 16:12:55 GMT
Just got back from work to find that it is still 0-0, although the first thing I saw was a German free kick right in front of goal  |
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Post by Furry Frank The Combat Wombat on Jun 29, 2021 19:04:42 GMT
Copper-bottom guarantee that tonight's game will be as dull as last night's ones were exciting. Zzzouthgate. that is so very true, they will try to bore the Hun to defeat Well, it worked. Dull as dishwater until the goal. Bit job done, now to see who we'll face. |
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Post by Willshakes. on Jun 29, 2021 19:04:45 GMT
Well, Well ! First time since 1966 in a Major Tournament .
Well played England.
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Post by saintsfan73 on Jun 29, 2021 19:30:14 GMT
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Post by spot51 on Jun 29, 2021 22:28:20 GMT
Feck me!
Just finished watching bloody Sweden v Ukraine.
Will try and get report done pre-next years world cup...
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