Euro 2016 General Discussion Thread (39 Viewers)

[JuveJay]

Much was expected of that team. This one isn't quite going under the radar but the potential is there. The number of young and inexperienced players means they should be more fearless than the experienced team who had pressure built onto them.

I'm never going to say England will do this or that because I watch them play one game in every tournament where they just get it wrong on either a tactical or psychological level, but this tournament is there to be won for 4-5 teams. It's not the World Cup where you have the SA teams or a random African one throwing a spanner in the works.

 

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[Völler]

I'm not so sure if Portugal were better on paper.

Beckham,young Rooney,Terry and Cole in their primes,Stevie G and Lampard who were coming off terrific seasons.Only GK was bit of a weakness,otherwise it was a great team on paper.
France had a lot of past it players who were carried by Zidane's heroics.

We're basically writing the same thing.

 

[Seven]

We're basically writing the same thing.

You are. And I'm not in complete disagreement. I just think that saying they choked is harsh. England were outsiders to win it and crashed out in the quarter finals. As most outsiders do.

 

[Xperd]

Italy were considered outsiders in 2006 with a team that included Totti, Del Piero, Pirlo, Cannavaro, Nesta, Buffon, De Rossi, Pirlo, Gattuso, Zambrotta, Toni, Inzaghi.. There is no way England came even close to that kind of quality. Only chance they had was 2004 imo.

I would say Calciopoli also had a lot to do with it.

 

[Völler]

You are. And I'm not in complete disagreement. I just think that saying they choked is harsh. England were outsiders to win it and crashed out in the quarter finals. As most outsiders do.

That's probably fair. Let's just say that they never manage to surprise positively.

 

[Seven]

Much was expected of that team. This one isn't quite going under the radar but the potential is there. The number of young and inexperienced players means they should be more fearless than the experienced team who had pressure built onto them.

I'm never going to say England will do this or that because I watch them play one game in every tournament where they just get it wrong on either a tactical or psychological level, but this tournament is there to be won for 4-5 teams. It's not the World Cup where you have the SA teams or a random African one throwing a spanner in the works.

The tactical stupidity in the EPL really isn't helping English football at this point. Just look at the way Real and Juventus easily controlled City and you know all you need to know imo.

 

[Völler]

Italy were considered outsiders in 2006 with a team that included Totti, Del Piero, Pirlo, Cannavaro, Nesta, Buffon, De Rossi, Pirlo, Gattuso, Zambrotta, Toni, Inzaghi.. There is no way England came even close to that kind of quality. Only chance they had was 2004 imo.

I remember getting the money back 10 times for an Italy win before the tournament began (and you could probably get even better odds). Quite strange when you look at how strong that team was.

 

[JuveJay]

The only way England are going to win a tournament is through sheer momentum and an aggressive kind of football.

 

[Xperd]

Well, maybe choking is a harsh word, but I do think their squad had the potential to win the tournament (even if they weren't favorites). This was Rooney at his best, and Lampard and Gerrard at their peak. Sure, they lacked players in certain positions (goalkeeper, among others), but overall I think they had a strong team. At least on paper.

This is the lineup in 2006:

If i am going to have to judge by their club performances,literally the only weakness if any was GK and perhaps RB.Most of those players were WC in their position in their prime.

 

[Völler]

The only way England are going to win a tournament is through sheer momentum and an aggressive kind of football.

They need to hire Ranieri asap.

 

[Seven]

I remember getting the money back 10 times for an Italy win before the tournament began (and you could probably get even better odds). Quite strange when you look at how strong that team was.

Even today you have people saying that their team was not that good and they won through sheer willpower.

It's not true. Their team was incredible.

 

[Völler]

If i am going to have to judge by their club performances,literally the only weakness if any was GK and perhaps RB.Most of those players were WC in their position in their prime.

Joe Cole wasn't exactly world class, but he was great in that tournament. His goal against Sweden was pure class.

 

[Xperd]

The only way England are going to win a tournament is through sheer momentum and an aggressive kind of football.

England are my dark horse for this EURO.If only they had a better coach than Woy,i would've probably ranked them higher.

 

[Völler]

Even today you have people saying that their team was not that good and they won through sheer willpower.

It's not true. Their team was incredible.

Probably because they never managed to destroy their opponents. Small and often underwhelming victories. Particularly the game against Australia was embarrassing to witness. But as long as you win, who cares.

 

[JuveJay]

They need to hire Ranieri asap.

Well yeah. But Hodgson was nothing like that in 2014 so I wonder if he has the nerve to let the team play so freely, this is a guy who once coached in Italy

 

[Xperd]

Even today you have people saying that their team was not that good and they won through sheer willpower.

It's not true. Their team was incredible.

Agree.
On Paper,Spain,Brazil and Italy had great teams.Spain massively choked that year.

 

[Völler]

Well yeah. But Hodgson was nothing like that in 2014 so I wonder if he has the nerve to let the team play so freely, this is a guy who once coached in Italy

Well, there isn't a country he hasn't coached in. He even coached FC Copenhagen in Denmark ffs. But I dunno, I haven't really followed England closely, so I wouldn't know. But he doesn't strike me as someone who'd let his team play freely.

 

[Xperd]

Joe Cole wasn't exactly world class, but he was great in that tournament. His goal against Sweden was pure class.

Yeah ofcourse not Joe Cole but likes of Ferdinand,Terry,Cole,Gerrard,Lampard etc who were all in their prime.

Hargreaves was a class player too.Shame he moved to United and became a crock shortly afterwards.

 

[JuveJay]

Well, their isn't a country he hasn't coached in. He even coached FC Copenhagen in Denmark ffs. But I dunno, I haven't really followed England closely, so I wouldn't know. But he doesn't strike me as someone who'd let his team play freely.

In the qualifiers they played freely but wait until the KO stages and watch that get reined in.

 

[zizinho]

hope England makes it to QF so they have to play Italy. Conte to show them why signing Giaccherini and Parolo to Chelsea was justified