European Championships - France 2016

[DeLorean]

I never bet against Italy. They turn up in their mid 30's, playing in the MLS, out of shape, out of form, racked with internal dissention and a bumbling buffoon for a manager and next thing you know they've just knocked Germany out on penalties in the semi and are shrugging at each other like it's no big deal and stating they'll be back on sunday to collect their trophy and when told they've France or Spain to see off first they make a note to purchase them a packet of hankies.

Is that the same Spain that tanked them 4-0 last time?

I agree with your point overall though, but they've had some disastrous campaigns over the past decade as well.

[tetsujin1979]

France are a bit of a dark horse for me, lot of shades of the world cup win in 98 - home advantage, poor recent results in tournaments, some of their top talent excluded from the squad.

[DeLorean]

You could hardly call them 'dark horses' though really. They're favourites in the bookies!

And they had a fairly decent World Cup.

[tetsujin1979]

You could hardly call them 'dark horses' though really. They're favourites in the bookies!

And they had a fairly decent World Cup.

are they? genuinely haven't seen any odds so far. Thought the usual suspects would be favourites - Germany or Spain

[DeLorean]

Yeah 3/1, Germany 4/1, Spain 11/2 and England next at 8/1. (according to PP).

[DannyInvincible]

Walters sat out training today after getting a knock, but it's not thought to be serious: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36436532

McCarthy is back in full training though.

Key forward Jon Walters is the latest injury concern for the Republic of Ireland ahead of Euro 2016 after taking a bang to his calf.

Stoke City's Walters, 32, was unable to train with his Republic team-mates on Thursday morning as he instead worked with the medical staff.

The initial indications were that the knock was not serious.

However, it's a further issue for boss Martin O'Neill given the injuries to James McCarthy and Robbie Keane.

On the plus side, Everton midfielder McCarthy was able to take part in training for the first time since the squad got together 10 days ago.

McCarthy, who has been bothered by a thigh injury, worked alone after completing the warm-up ahead of Wednesday morning's session, but stayed with the rest of the squad on Thursday as he stepped up his recovery.

Robbie says he'll be definitely ready for the Belgium game, but isn't a certainty for Sweden.

Squad skipper Keane was out on the pitch, although only as an observer with the 35-year-old striker unlikely to resume training until the middle of next week at the earliest because of a calf problem which required an injection.

Keane accepts that he faces a battle to be available for the Group E opener against Sweden in Paris on 13 June but is certain he will be fit for the second game against Belgium five days later.

"Luckily for me, it's not as bad as I first thought," Keane told FAI TV YouTube.

"They are saying a couple of weeks which would maybe get me (fit) for the Sweden game or maybe missing that one.

"But I'll definitely be ready for the second game."

[DeLorean]

Big Jon up to his old tricks. Probably enjoying a Cornetto up in the visitor centre while the lads slog it out.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I'd certainly back the French this time. Beaten by eventual champions in 2014, and only 1-0 in the QF's, they could easily have accounted for such a shoddy Brazil team and then who knows against Argentina? A few years to improve, home field advantage, handy enough group stage. If they can make do without Benzema, they have a serious shot.

[Stuttgart88]

There are some seriously good players left out of their squads. Imagine leaving out Benzema?

Despite Spain's strength I couldn't believe Bellerin was only a late replacement.

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone see that Bruno Alves tackle in the England v Portugal friendly? Crazy stuff.

[DeLorean]

No, just saw he got a straight red... must have been bad to get a red in a friendly. Who'd he take out?

[pineapple stu]

Worse than McAteer I think -



The Portuguese players blocking the ref's way should have been booked too.

[DeLorean]

Jesus... Kane took it like a beast.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Big Jon up to his old tricks. Probably enjoying a Cornetto up in the visitor centre while the lads slog it out.

Getting boring at this stage.

[paul_oshea]

Stutts loves asking if we watched England. Any opportunity to mention he watched England, sorry to excuse himself.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm in a hotel room in north Eales on a short break. I can watch what I want! I barely saw any of the game as it happens, I was on foot.ie.

[tricky_colour]

In fairness Martin tried the arm around the shoulder approach 6 months ago and it didn't work.

Kick up the hole approach correctly applied for me.

To be fair to McGeady he did put in a good cross which Murphy should have put away, if he had McGeady would have got
more praise.

[tricky_colour]

I fancy England to do well. They've new blood in there in Kane and Vardy, Ali Daei et al. who have no sense of entitlement to their place in the starting 11 and, much like the Dublin team now, nobody is guaranteed their starting place (except Rooney maybe). This makes for positive strong competition for places and they seem to be a fairly together squad. Think they're at 4/1 to win it last I saw. Not a bad bet.

They are 8-1 or 9-1, I backed them at 9-1 EW a while back, I thought I was getting value for money. Would prefer if Danny Drinkwater was going for the Leicester effect.

I also backed Belgium at 11-1, can't remember why.

And finally I backed Ireland at 150-1 EW, I don't think I am getting very good value there though, 5,000-1 would be fairer!!

Just realised I am backing against myself somewhat with Belgium, although in reality I am probably not if you see what I mean!! However I wish I had not put it on now!

[Fixer82]

They are 8-1 or 9-1, I backed them at 9-1 EW a while back, I thought I was getting value for money. Would prefer if Danny Drinkwater was going for the Leicester effect.

I also backed Belgium at 11-1, can't remember why.

And finally I backed Ireland at 150-1 EW, I don't think I am getting very good value there though, 5,000-1 would be fairer!!

Just realised I am backing against myself somewhat with Belgium, although in reality I am probably not if you see what I mean!! However I wish I had not put it on now!

I stand corrected. I backed Ireland at 125/1. Odds must have increased. Still, it'll be sweet when that €12.50 comes rolling into my bank account baby!!!!

[tricky_colour]

I stand corrected. I backed Ireland at 125/1. Odds must have increased. Still, it'll be sweet when that €12.50 comes rolling into my bank account baby!!!!

Depend where you backed them, you can get odds of 150-1 125-1 and 100-1 at the moment I have two accounts and an exchange account for
match betting I normal do the best odd on the standard accounts as the exchange minimum bet is £2. I could sometimes get better odds elsewhere
but it is not worth the trouble of managing another account.

Anyway whether it is 125 or 150 is somewhat immaterial as it is highly unlikely you will get anything back, even as a supporter
I find it difficult to make any case for Ireland, I have been more optimistic in the past, however having said that we have beat Germany
recently, so who knows.

The real problem for Ireland seems to be the small teams such as Belarus. We normally do better against the bigger
sides, at least in qualification anyway, I will have to erase any memory of our last European adventure though!