The EURO 2012 Discussion Thread

[jkingma]

Originally Posted by Thorby Bislam

Not so. Nobody I've talked to wanted Harry Redknapp. The press did, he's got lots of friends in the press because he plays their game, keeps them in the know all the time. But just because they write articles saying Harry is the people's choice doesn't mean it's true.
Did you see the media frenzy when Hodgson was appointed? They couldn't wait to stick the knives into him. They're holding back a bit at the moment because he won his first two matches but wait for England to lose. The whole shooting match will start up again

Okay, fair enough... my comments are based on what I hear in the media over here in Canada and I don't have any "local" first hand knowledge of the situation.

But I still feel the bottom line is the same. Hodgson's time as England Manager is going to be a repeat of his time at Liverpool. Blame it on the players... not the manager.

[MatthewDickin]

Hodgson will get England playing in an organised disciplined, albeit incredibly dull fashion. I think we'll limp out of the group and go out in the quarters, which is no more than our players, fans and majority of the media deserve. Hopefully Hodgson will then be given time to build a squad without the prima donnas of the so called 'golden generation'. It will be interesting to see how players like Steven Gerrard cope in a tactically disciplined team - he won't be able to run around trying his schoolboy, Roy Race fantasies for once.

Russia looked good last night and I'm delighted for them - they were the best team to watch at the last Euros, too. Pleased to see Arshavin's rediscovered his mojo now he's back home.

[Thorby Bislam]

Agreed. No serious football fan here expects England to get further than the quarters, and tbh, we'll be lucky to get that far.
Those people who only bother every two years at the major tournaments and who like to show their "passion" by hanging flags of St George out of their window, flying flags from their cars and parroting everything the tabs say as gospel truth, Well, it's a different story.

That was Czech/ Russia was a good game. I drew Russia in the office sweepstake so I hope they continue to do well. Enjoyed the Poland/Greece game too.

[Telemarkman]

I love the Danes!!!

[jkingma]

They just played a pretty decent game, didn't they.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by jkingma

They just played a pretty decent game, didn't they.

They did ... Even if Netherland was better, they never lost control of their nerves.

[MatthewDickin]

I think that we'll see more of this type of game - solid, organised teams being difficult to break down by a better 'footballing' side, and then nicking the odd goal. Chelsea and Athletico Madrid's success this season won't have gone unnoticed by the coaches.

Good for the Danes, though I worry for the Netherlands now (thus completely ruining my earlier prediction) - I think they needed three points here with Germany and Portugal to come.

[jhundt]

@ Telemarkman

Even if Netherland was better...

They weren't better, they were horrible. A total well-deserved humiliation for a team who had already decided they were going to win and didn't have to work for it.

The keeper let the winning goal go through his legs. WTF?

Denmark won because they played better. Congratulations!!

[Schmikey]

Germany-Portugal

I'm pulling for Portugal. Ronaldo elevates the game to an art form.

[Mid Life Crisis]

Originally Posted by jhundt

@ Telemarkman

They weren't better, they were horrible. A total well-deserved humiliation for a team who had already decided they were going to win and didn't have to work for it.

The keeper let the winning goal go through his legs. WTF?

Denmark won because they played better. Congratulations!!

Holland created a hatful of chances though...I think it was just one of those nights. Credit to the Danes though. I always have a soft spot for them, since Euro '96 in England when they played in my then home city of Sheffield and drank all the pubs dry.

Fascinating group though - Germany, Denmark, Holland, Portugal. It's wide open after the Denmark win.

[jhundt]

Holland created a hatful of chances though...I think it was just one of those nights.

if only it wasn't "just another one of those nights".

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by jhundt

@ Telemarkman

They weren't better, they were horrible.

OK, I agree ... I just didn't dare say it.

[joaopazguitar]

Originally Posted by Schmikey

Germany-Portugal

I'm pulling for Portugal. Ronaldo elevates the game to an art form.

thanks, Schmikey
It's being a careful game, Germany faster on the recover and attack, but Portugal is not off the game yet ... as we saw in the last minute!

Go Portugal! (and for my TDPRI German friends, may the best team win!)

[eddiewagner]

The germanboys did fine....

[Thorby Bislam]

Close match, it could have gone either way.

[blue metalflake]

Football entertaining so far - the Russians have been the best to watch to date, but I'd like to see them against different opposition to be sure.

[dan79]

Originally Posted by blue metalflake

Football entertaining so far - the Russians have been the best to watch to date, but I'd like to see them against different opposition to be sure.

Yeah - I enjoyed watching the Russians play - they are my outsiders to have quite a good tournument!

[poloaa008]

Gush, this is just perfect!

[hemingway]

I was delighted when England appointed Hodgson. But I wasn't impressed at his comments yesterday trying to placate Ferdinand. I'd rather he just came out and said, look, I've picked my damn team: next question. He seems really flustered over this issue. Not what I'd hoped for.

However, I was even less impressed with the BBC's obsession in the interview of showing close-ups of beads of sweat on his face. Tabloid telly tactics.

Still, if he can get what's left of his squad organised tomorrow, none of that will matter.

[blue metalflake]

Trap's men will be on soon.

Don't expect too much of the beautiful game. Well disciplined, fairly defensively minded, with Robbie Keane playing the part of the Lone Ranger, up front.