Euro 2016

**The Fly** · 02/07/2016, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Poor Zaza looked a proper fool being brought on just for the shoot out, taking the most delayed run-up in history.......

**geysir** · 03/07/2016, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

I'd agree with this. Reminded me of Dublin v Donegal in 2011. Compelling but in the moment was painful to the untrained eye. Tactical masterclasses from both managers and fupp me isn't Italian defensive play just a beauty to behold.

I found it a very compelling tactical game but I thought most everybody here would have fallen asleep at the lack of so called goal threat action after fannying about for 5 or so minutes. Anyway it was my type of knockout game between two of the best national teams. Now all that's needed is some team to beat Germany to make this an excellent tournament.

**TheBoss** · 03/07/2016, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Certainly not an impressive performance from Germany throughout, if Italy had any skill going forward they should have won it. Poor Zaza looked a proper fool being brought on just for the shoot out, taking the most delayed run-up in history and then blasting it over.

I think he was channeling his inner James Brown

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 03/07/2016, 4:42 PM

Re: Hal Robson-Kanu, one swallow doesn't make a summer.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 03/07/2016, 6:36 PM

Just released from Reading right? I imagine some Championship team will snap him up on the basis of this tournament, Soccernomics advice be damned.

**BonnieShels** · 03/07/2016, 7:13 PM

Remember remember Karel Poborsky

**BonnieShels** · 03/07/2016, 7:14 PM

Great goal from Giroud there. Well taken.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 03/07/2016, 7:15 PM

Way too easy for Giroud. Icelandic defence, keeper, must do better.

**pineapple stu** · 03/07/2016, 7:21 PM

Could be a few in this for France. Iceland have done exceptionally all tournament, but there's always been the suspicion they're defensively suspect. Portugal created loads of chances but somehow couldn't convert. England opened them up in 5 minutes and did alright until the second goal, when they went into full retreat.

Don't think France at home will do that.

And as I type, 2-0...

**NeverFeltBetter** · 03/07/2016, 7:23 PM

Certainly seems like it's coming unstuck at the back alright, two goals they should have prevented. I doubt France will run riot, they'll want to conserve as much as they can for the semi, but hard to see them letting this lead slip.

**DeLorean** · 03/07/2016, 7:34 PM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Just released from Reading right? I imagine some Championship team will snap him up on the basis of this tournament, Soccernomics advice be damned.

He was impressive any time I saw him in qualification too.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 03/07/2016, 7:44 PM

The hosts are very much in control here, bar that one scare at the other end. Jut a step too far for Iceland it seems, regrettably.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 03/07/2016, 7:47 PM

Jeez, Stu was right. A proper rout on the cards.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 03/07/2016, 7:57 PM

Looking at the goals at HT. Giroud's, the Icelandic defender has his hand up looking for an offside and he doesn't even know where the Frenchman was. Pogba's, Icelandic defence was just stepping off from before the corner was taken. Payet's, ball given away at midfield, no one closes Payet down, arguably keeper should have got to it seeing how slow it went. Griezmann's, defence split open by the through ball/dummy, keeper looked like a mug.

I don't think it's that Iceland are just bad at defending, they've had to face decent attacking outfits in this tournament and come away with points. But they do look a bit wrecked out there.

**davidatrb** · 03/07/2016, 7:59 PM

Yes pineapple stu called it. Hope he had a few euro on it.

France are a class act. The quality of players at their disposal is unbelievable. Payet going places.

There were signs against Ireland that they could have did the same to us but thankfully they didn't.

**pineapple stu** · 03/07/2016, 8:16 PM

I think Iceland deserve that goal for their attacking intent. Of course, they deserve the four against too. But much nicer to have scored one at least

**pineapple stu** · 03/07/2016, 8:17 PM

Five against...

**NeverFeltBetter** · 03/07/2016, 8:18 PM

What is the keeper doing there? Aside from punching his own man in the face...

**pineapple stu** · 03/07/2016, 8:25 PM

Starting to remind me of that great Brazil v Costa Rica game in the 2002 World Cup, when both teams just went on the attack and to hell with defence. Maybe a slightly bigger gap between the teams though.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 03/07/2016, 8:26 PM

It is sort of all up in the air from what I can see.

Portugal have looked very unimpressive for long stretches of their games, but if Ronaldo actually turns up for a full 90 they could scorch Wales.

Wales are in uncharted waters, with suspensions to deal with, and if Bale underperforms or is marked out of the game, they'll struggle, Robson-Kanu or no. But if he keeps playing as he has, Portugal are vulnerable at the back.

Germany still seem like they are in the same kind of sleepwalking mode they were in during parts of the qualifiers. An easy enough group, an easy last 16 tie, and then a serious slog against Italy. Now injury problems. But they're the World champions for a reason. It wasn't until the semis two years ago that they really turned it on.

France really looked sub-par in the group stages as far as I could see, needing late strikes to spare their blushes twice. Ireland fell away from their last 16 tie, and now they've strolled into the semis against an Iceland defence that was as bad as the English media pretend Iceland are. But they are the hosts, and they have Greizmann, Payet and Pogba.

I haven't a clue whose going to win this tournament. The winner of the second semi will be the obvious favorite, but honestly any of them could win and I wouldn't be incredibly surprised.