Euro 2016

[NeverFeltBetter]

Oh, what a moment.

[pineapple stu]

Iceland v England next!

[bennocelt]

Delighted for Austria, the way they were celebrating after taking a point of Portugal like they won the fecking thing, ha ha

[BonnieShels]

That Hungary game was super.

Delighted Austria are gone. Only team even remotely dislikable than Belgium and the IFA team.

[osarusan]

Great video of Icelandic commentary for the last minute winner. The guy is going mental.


https://www.facebook.com/Fansfoot/videos/1273811925986168/

[pineapple stu]

Ha!

Funny, I thought the Icelandic fans were very understated in their celebrations whenever the camera panned - was like "Oh I say, we scored! Jolly well done, old fellow; jolly well done."

Also hilarious that they finished ahead of Portugal after Ronaldo's comments.

[geysir]

Delighted for Austria, the way they were celebrating after taking a point of Portugal like they won the fecking thing, ha ha
Take delight in the positive first, Iceland are through, then yes Austria are an ugly team :) it's a prize bonus that they're gone, shattered, beaten and humiliated.

Alaba though is a class player with a deadly 'longrangeability' but the Iceland midfield managed to keep the lid on him.
The last gasp winner means Iceland have an extra 2 days rest, avoid Croatia and get England.
The scorer of the first goal Jon Dadi literally came out of nowhere in this qual campaign, a 2nd division team Selfoss (inland creamery town, hay bailers). Whenever I talk about the team to any Icelander and the rise and rise of Jon Dadi is mentioned, the native every time dryly adds on " and you know he comes from Selfoss" -- that's the humor which manages to add to the extent of just how far he's come.

[BonnieShels]

I've been to Selfoss. I have no further comment on it.

[geysir]

Great video of Icelandic commentary for the last minute winner. The guy is going mental.


https://www.facebook.com/Fansfoot/videos/1273811925986168/
He's the worst commentator around, a nightmare on handball games where he simulates a heart attack every 5 seconds.
but he's also a fan with a microphone and here you see him better, commentating/going berserk on the winner.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWj6N9ps4_I

[DannyInvincible]

Thank God for the return of Euro 2016 today to distract from Brexit shell-shock. It shall be my opiate this weekend.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Wasn't Rory McIlroy's uncle killed by the UVF? Catholic background, right?

And Northern Ireland's biggest cheerleader during Euro 2016.

Utterly bizarre IMO but to each their own.

Another McGuigan/Lynam type.

At least my tolerance is stronger than someone from Ballymena's would be if a unionist celebrity from that town came out as a huge Republic of Ireland supporter.

I'm more amused/bemused by it!

Come on Cymru!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I can't see why Norwood has been linked with PL teams.

Then again I can't see why Troy Deeney is worth £30m so maybe I'm missing something.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Appearance
Aptly the Oranje boss is the most Protestant-looking man of all time. Has the shape of head crying out to be topped off with a bowler hat.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/07/euro2004.sport62

I would like to argue that Craig Cathcart is the most Protestant-looking man of all time.

[pineapple stu]

So a dire tournament plunges to new depths of awfulness as the knock-outs start.

Poland v Switzerland - surprisingly watchable for a game involving Switzerland.

Then Wales scrape past the North courtesy of an own goal when way short of their best (and the North were still unable to take advantage)

And now Portugal v Croatia, with all the talent on show in the form of Modric, Rakitic, Ronaldo, Mandzukic, Nani, et al, can't muster a single shot on target after 115 minutes and counting.

England still the only team to win from behind, against Wales. Bar the conclusion of Group F, there's been no memorable games. Shaqiri's goal for Switzerland today is arguably goal of the tournament, but it has relatively little competition.

And yet people won't watch the LoI because they say it's rubbish?!

Edit - as I type, Croatia his the post, Portugal go up the other end, Ronaldo's shot is saved but Portugal tap home the rebound. Croatia played well in the groups, but have done nothing in this match and deserve as much out of it.

[BonnieShels]

Thank God for the return of Euro 2016 today to distract from Brexit shell-shock. It shall be my opiate this weekend.

Opiate in the sense of crippling boredom and death inducing?

[BonnieShels]

Wasn't Rory McIlroy's uncle killed by the UVF? Catholic background, right?

And Northern Ireland's biggest cheerleader during Euro 2016.

Utterly bizarre IMO but to each their own.

Another McGuigan/Lynam type.

At least my tolerance is stronger than someone from Ballymena's would be if a unionist celebrity from that town came out as a huge Republic of Ireland supporter.

I'm more amused/bemused by it!

Come on Cymru!


https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/07/euro2004.sport62

I would like to argue that Craig Cathcart is the most Protestant-looking man of all time.

I wish you would cease your senseless and clearly uninformed commentary on Northern politics in here. It's just off the wall.

I'm sure you have definitely more tolerance than Liam Leeson.

That being said, I'm delighted Wales beat it.


So a dire tournament plunges to new depths of awfulness as the knock-outs start.

Poland v Switzerland - surprisingly watchable for a game involving Switzerland.

I enjoyed it. Delighted that Poland are through though.



Then Wales scrape past the North courtesy of an own goal when way short of their best (and the North were still unable to take advantage)

And now Portugal v Croatia, with all the talent on show in the form of Modric, Rakitic, Ronaldo, Mandzukic, Nani, et al, can't muster a single shot on target after 115 minutes and counting.

I got the impression from both games that both Wales and Croatia were wrecked. I fear for us tomorrow for the same reason.


England still the only team to win from behind, against Wales. Bar the conclusion of Group F, there's been no memorable games. Shaqiri's goal for Switzerland today is arguably goal of the tournament, but it has relatively little competition.

I concur.


And yet people won't watch the LoI because they say it's rubbish?!


It is rubbish. Unless 2016 LOI First Division Champions Limerick FC are playing.


Edit - as I type, Croatia his the post, Portugal go up the other end, Ronaldo's shot is saved but Portugal tap home the rebound. Croatia played well in the groups, but have done nothing in this match and deserve as much out of it. Raging Portugal are through. They've been gash. I defo had Croatia as one of my outside bets for the tournament. (Not an actual bet)

[NeverFeltBetter]

Only was able to see bits and pieces yesterday, nothing seemed very enthralling. This is a huge missed opportunity for Croatia, and I think the players knew that. It's weird, because I used to say it about Portugal after, say, 2008, that they had failed to take advantage of one of their best generations and are still failing, but now it seems better to apply that thinking to Croatia, who are perennial dark horses that should be doing better with what they have. They've never won a knock-out game in the Euros, and haven't played a knock-out game in the World Cup since 98. Spain in the 90's comes to mind too.

It would probably be appropriate for a tournament this devoid of entertaining football for Portugal to actually win it though.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Quite the volley from a CB there. Germany coming to life?

[SkStu]

It might be a generally dull tournament but there have been some fantastic goals scored.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Yeah, I imagine this is the kind of competition that, years from now, is remembered fondly because the highlight packages will have a lot of material, sort of like Italia 90 for us even though, by reputation, it was one of the dullest tournaments in footballing history.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Was happy Skertel got punished directly for his repeated stupidity/thuggish behavior in this tournament, but then a great save from the keeper.

[SkStu]

^^
haha pretty much what I just posted on Facebook. Glad it was saved to keep the game competitive but disappointed that that cretin didn't suffer his laziness, stupidity and nastiness with a goal. He really is a horrible character.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Can't see anyway back for Slovakia now. Starting to think Germany/Whoever wins between Italy/Spain could be the tournament champions.

Man, Hector is the kind of player, attacking from the wings, that I wish McClean could become.

[NeverFeltBetter]

15 minutes in and this already looks like a walkover for the Belgians. All over Hungary.

[Andyh]

I got the impression from both games that both Wales and Croatia were wrecked. I fear for

Strange comment, Could NI not be wrecked also after playing Germany? The day after Wales had their final group game? Same for Portugal vs Croatia.

[geysir]

For those who say it has been a dull tournament then you must have been turned suicidal by Ireland's efforts to rise above rank dullness.:rolleyes:

Offhand WC1990 was the worst in living memory, WC1994 was poor and so also WC2002 was littered with average games.
Probably those 3 WC finals were also the worst.
But is that how you remember those final tournaments?

[pineapple stu]

For sure, this tournament will be fondly remembered here for Brady's goals, the win over Italy, Wessi's strike, leading at half-time against France. And rightly so.

But it doesn't change the fact that overall, it's been a terribly dull tournament. The goals-per-game rate is down more than 10% on Italia 90 because of negative, defensive tactics, and Italia 90 itself was a hugely negative, defensive tournament.

Are you telling me Euro 2016 is objectively exciting?

[Stuttgart88]

Not exciting, but interesting.

[DeLorean]

When did TV3 sign up the Sky Sports commentary team?!

[ForzaForth]

Apparently it's a UEFA-provided commentary which TV stations can take if they want.

[Stuttgart88]

Enjoying this Spain v Italy game but I can't help feel neither team is as good as 2012. De Gea making some great saves but arguably at fault for Itaky's opener. Ref missing some blatant fouls.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Italy look seriously capable now. Strong in goal and in defence, nippy going forward, nice counter-attacking ability. Them and Germany could be a cracker.

[pineapple stu]

England v Iceland set up nicely already!

1-1 after 5 minutes.

[Stuttgart88]

Sporting wing of the Vote Leave campaign 1 Iceland 1 after 6 mins.

Channel 4 News with footage of Englznd fans singing "If you hate all Muslims clap your hands".

I'm guessing Dele Alli is a Muslim?

[osarusan]

Hahaha wtf Iceland, 2-1 up?

[DeLorean]

Could be a bit of a Cameroon 1990 job yet... 3-2... another peno along the way! Hopefully not though, the fallout from this would dwarf Brexit. ;)

[osarusan]

Unbelievable stuff. Defended well and even broke well when they could.

One of the best Euro stories ever. I know Greece and Denmark won it, but, surprising as that was, they were nowhere near the underdogs Iceland are.

England were simply abysmal though, one of the emptiest, most abject, most cowardly performances I've ever seen. Iceland basically invited them on for an hour, and apart from one tame header by Kane, I think they created nothing.

[pineapple stu]

Love the team leading the fans in the clap at the end!

[osarusan]

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p480x480/13502162_1029095567200884_6998111492934035273_n.jp g?oh=67b144e481ea2d0735009738f02f34bb&oe=580E1E3C

[Stuttgart88]

That clap thing is brilliant.

I'm so glad I am now using Twitter. Some hilarious stuff there.

[pineapple stu]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cl_Jk9CWgAIZKBf.jpg

[NeverFeltBetter]

I don't even think Iceland are underdogs. I think they're a better team than England, and have been the whole tournament. Standard English mentality that Iceland would be an easy game. Never ceases to be hilarious when it all goes wrong.

[Stuttgart88]

ITV commentary in first half was comparing being behind to Iceland to being behind to San Marino.

At half time they were discussing dropping Hart for the quarter final.

[CraftyToePoke]

I know it doesn't soften our own exit woe, if anything the opposite as we would probably beat Iceland, or certainly make a more credible fist of playing them, but wasn't that joyous to witness ? The arrogance in the lead up, unstinting and grotesque as ever in their ignorant dismissal of another nation & the leave vote, which has sickened me to the point I no longer want to live in this place. Thank you Iceland.

Merci.

[pineapple stu]

I don't think we would "probably" beat Iceland.

That said, they did look ordinary enough in some of their group games, and there was an element of the notion that they got through because they had an easy group. They looked shaky in defence at times and i did think England would carve them open regularly. Which didn't happen obviously.

But it's not as if we've set the tournament alight, and I don't think we can say we'd "probably" have beaten any of the last 16.

[NeverFeltBetter]

From BBC's text commentary:


England are 10 minutes away from a humiliating exit.
Yes, I know Iceland beat the Netherlands. Yes, I know they held Portugal and have played well.
But try telling someone like my dad that England have lost a game of football to Iceland. He'd laugh in your face.


**** these people, seriously. That undeserved arrogance at every turn, based on what? A tournament win 60 years ago and two semis since. They deserve nothing but the scorn they endlessly invite. The humiliation isn't in losing to Iceland, a better team than England. The humiliation is the gutless, cowardly performance, the latest in a long line.

[The Fly]

This is outstanding. Schteve McLaren talking out of his arse and then....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JZm74JLY6U#t=12

[The Fly]

When you spot yourself on the big screen and want people to think you've got a plan…

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LonelyUnsightlyAmericanwarmblood-size_restricted.gif

[CraftyToePoke]

I don't think we would "probably" beat Iceland.

Well I do, we'd do them. Not comfortably or anything disrespectful, but we'd edge them. IMO

[geysir]

That was easier than expected, thank you Rooney, Kane, Sterling, Wiltshire and last but not least, Joe Harte.
Great scenes downtown Reykjavik, about 15k to 20k watching the match together, the best gathering since the pots and pans protest in autumn of 2008. There were even fireworks post game which is kinda humorous, seeing as the midnight sun is at it's peak.

A few days pre game, a nice touch was provided by the Iceland FA towards the supporters group.
The Iceland national team supporters group is called Tolfun (the old name for the 12th man), They were a small group of 10 or so fans who came with team shirts and drums to the home games and made noise. Way back in 2011 Heimir the now joint manager and heir apparent, talked with them and said he would go to the pub beside the stadium where they met before games, that he would present the team sheet before anybody else knew and explain how they would be set up to play. He still does this. The idea was, we were in this together, this is our link and spread the word. From that grew the massed ranks of Tolfun The other day the press reported that original group of 10 had to come home after the group stages, no money and work duties, The iceland FA stepped in and offered them match tickets for the England game, a charter flight to Nice and accommodation.