Hi

Spain ( I suppose predictably) won easily against a valiant but overrun Italian team.

Some critics before the game panned the Spanish for being boring!!! They were certainly well and truly put in their place.

This Spanish side are not just great passers and receivers of the ball, all work hard for each other and play at all times as a team. Last night I couldn't count how many time Spanish players after losing the ball, chased back and won it back. They were quick and effect in the tackles. They snuffed the dangerous Pirlo and Balliotelli completely out of the game.

The first two goals were magnificent pieces of thoughtful attacking football.

We have a long way to go to be able to match Spain and give them any kind of game.

I know we actually beat them earlier in a "friendly" but last night I fear that they would have been slaughtered.

All-in-all it was a good tournament that many feared would be a fiasco.

I felt that the officials for the most part were excellent - England's "goal " apart.

Well done to all who participated in whatever way. I hope that 2016 will live up to this.

I read that in 2016 they are changing the format by allowing 24 ( instead of 16 ) teams to qualify for the final stages. This is pretty well 50% of the teams that are qualified to enter.

Cheers and thanks to all for an interesting thread.

Cheers

MikeL2