Sound argumentyep. and the rest of europe owes us the money our economy is losing because of brexit. allowing us to host every tournament would go some way to them repaying the damage they’ve caused us.
Sound argumentyep. and the rest of europe owes us the money our economy is losing because of brexit. allowing us to host every tournament would go some way to them repaying the damage they’ve caused us.
Yes and no. even if it were “top 2 go through” you could still have a huge disparity between groups. In theory you could finish on 2 points and finish second in your group (team A wins all their matches, everyone else draws the remainder). You could also finish on 6 points and finish third (team 4 loses to everyone, team 1 beats team 2 and loses to team 3, team 2 beats team 3). I don’t remember either of these situations happening but they’re mathematically possibleAnyone else think it's really stupid that hypothetically Poland and Ukraine could go out on 3 and 4 points but some teams could go through on 2 points?
Should go back to 16 teams. I think that is a much better solution that avoids this gimmicky group stage. (I think 32 out of 55 teams making the tournament is too many for the same reason I think 16 qualifying from a group stage round of 24 teams is too many)We need a 32 team Euro and none of this would be an issue.
I don't understand what's the big deal about adding 8 more teams on the tourney.
I agree on the quality but we might need to rethink the qualification process in that case, because you're basically playing 10 games or so just to eliminate the dwarf nations like San Marino, Andorra, Liechtenstein et al because there's no way the big (and even medium) countries don't qualify if it's 32 teams. Think there are 56 European national teams, might be better to give the "first 16" based on some ranking auto-qualification for the next tournament and let the other 40 play for the remaining 16 spots in that case (which is still almost a 50% chance at qualification).They're not.
The mid-tier European national teams are basically interchangeable. The likes of Norway, Wales, Iceland, Ireland, Bosnia, Greece etc. could easily fill the next 8 spots and they have the potential to be a tough game for anybody. It's not like San Marino would suddenly qualify for Euro.
When it comes to mid-tier Euro countries, it all depends on their form. If they click they all have potential to do well and even advance deep in the tournament.
Even if some of the NTs turn out to be duds and get smashed 5-0, this happens on WC all the time as well and no one cares. I'd rather add some potentially bad teams than have this weird tournament format.
While I agree with the sentiment, I do find it refreshing to see teams like Georgia at the Euros who otherwise wouldn't be there at all 95% of the times, and their fans are really up for it as well. Taking that thought away as someone from a country like England, Germany, Spain, France or Italy, I'd agree that 16 is more than enough yeah.Should go back to 16 teams. I think that is a much better solution that avoids this gimmicky group stage. (I think 32 out of 55 teams making the tournament is too many for the same reason I think 16 qualifying from a group stage round of 24 teams is too many)
(Almost) all English players are used to doing that for their clubs. It's not like they need to learn something fundamentally new, but it's just that they need to learn how to do it together. Considering that (most of) the English players are not stupid morons I think there is a good chance that it could be implement on a decent level, if it is competently planned by a smart coach.Apparently England have been working on high pressing in training.
I'm not sure if you can learn that in a few days but let's see.
It would be rude not to.I’m away in welsh wales on my jollies. The local pub is showing the match so going to go down there and watch it. Debating whether to wear my England shirt or not
Under Southgate, no chance. It will be a disjointed attempt from the front. The so called build up play also break down starting from Pickford. He will kick the ball long every single time.(Almost) all English players are used to doing that for their clubs. It's not like they need to learn something fundamentally new, but it's just that they need to learn how to do it together. Considering that (most of) the English players are not stupid morons I think there is a good chance that it could be implement on a decent level, if it is competently planned by a smart coach.
So yeah, it's not going to happen.
Austria vs Netherlands. Both teams have a shot at top in the group. Whereas Poland is already out, and France is only playing for top spot in the group.Don't know the standings, which is the better early game to watch?
A lot depends on where you are, the further west or north you go the less welcome you will be in that shirt, years ago they were burning cottages owned by the English.I’m away in welsh wales on my jollies. The local pub is showing the match so going to go down there and watch it. Debating whether to wear my England shirt or not
Where in Wales?I’m away in welsh wales on my jollies. The local pub is showing the match so going to go down there and watch it. Debating whether to wear my England shirt or not
I’m away in welsh wales on my jollies. The local pub is showing the match so going to go down there and watch it. Debating whether to wear my England shirt or not
Allez les Bleus !
Don't know the standings, which is the better early game to watch?
What are Netherlands playing for? Any favourable draw they can secure?
Or could this be a Disgrace of Gijón energy-conserving kickabout to allow both team to progress?
Dutch Anthem after the Austrian one is so rare
Winning the group is about as favorable a draw you can get.What are Netherlands playing for? Any favourable draw they can secure?
Or could this be a Disgrace of Gijón energy-conserving kickabout to allow both team to progress?
Second place means they play the runner-up from Belgium's group. It could well be Belgium if even if both Belgium and Slovakia win given their loss against Slovakia, but I'd fancy Romania to get at least a point while Belgium win their game, which puts Romania in second.What are Netherlands playing for? Any favourable draw they can secure?
Or could this be a Disgrace of Gijón energy-conserving kickabout to allow both team to progress?
Austria vs Netherlands. The former are a well oiled machine that could cause some upsets.Don't know the standings, which is the better early game to watch?
What is Koeman doing leaving Simons, Frimpong, Dumfries on the bench. He's as clueless as Southgate