BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 12:47 PM

...my poem "Rerugulate" - http://walkaboutsverse.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/walkaboutsverse-98-of-230.html

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: Tunesmith
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 12:31 PM

We were dreadful.

And, even worse than that, it appears that the English team have been named the most boring team in the history of international football!

It's also clear, that if we took the foreigners out of our club sides, we would then have the most boring club sides in the history of the game!

I completely different approach to how we play the game is needed.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: GUEST,I rememer
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 12:14 PM

It,s been LOOOONG time, 1966.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 10:43 AM

#Euro2012 Respect "Land Rights" - http://www.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse/blog/474993020

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 10:25 AM

Hi

Well we are out !!!

Italy were by far the better footballing side. England did well to stop them scoring and have the dubious honour of going out of the competition without losing a game.

They were over-run in midfield by an impressive Italian one. Pirlo was tremendous. Young seemed out of his depth and poor Milner ran his heart out but achieved very little.

Italy were so much in command that all England could do was to try to stem the flow.As a result very few attacks were made by England leaving Rooney and Wellbeck chasing scraps. Rooney didn't look match fit to me and Wellbeck played much better as a defender than an attacker.

Carroll came on and apart from one header looked short of pace and experience. Walcott didn't produce the impact he did against Sweden.

One realised how short of midfielders we are when Henderson was introduced. There is no way that he is International class.

On the good side Gerrard was always busy trying to drive team forward. Johnson had one of his better games for England. Parker got in the way of many attempts to score but was overwhelmed by almost constant attacks. Terry tried hard to marshall an over-run defence and his endeavour and determination almost gained a freak result.

The team spirit was good compared with previous competitions and the England supporters were on good behaviour.

As for the penalty shoot out - well we have seen it all before, haven't we ??

Well done Italy - I don't think Germany will be looking forward to meeting them.

Looking forward to Spain v Portugal. Hope it will be an eciting game and may the better team win.....as long as it is Spain !!!

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 06:30 AM

I wonder why we always lose the penalty shoot out.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 04:01 AM

I just watched extra time on my PC with no sound - a big improvement by not hearing the inane drivel from commentators, and noise from the pea brained crowd!

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 03:09 AM

Yes indeed, its time for a manly shake of the hand, and saying, Well done, old man! The best man won on the day....

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 02:30 AM

"I could have sworn that was an Italian goal just before the end of extra time" I thought it was a goal initially but I think the replay shows that the line judge got it bang on.



http://theoriginalwinger.com/2012-06-24-video-italys-disallowed-offsides-goal-against-england-euro-2012


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Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 02:25 AM

"A disappointing performance from both England and Italy." Actually Italy were far better than I thought they'd be. Apart from in front of the net itself they played some pretty impressive stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 12:39 AM

I agree. It was a brave effort by England, but the better side won. Good luck to Italy in the semi-final.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 07:04 PM

In the end, well done England. Congrtas Italy.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 06:33 PM

A magnifcent tradition...losing the penalty shoot out. Gloriously upheld.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: michaelr
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 05:42 PM

A disappointing performance from both England and Italy. Bah.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: CET
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 05:20 PM

I could have sworn that was an Italian goal just before the end of extra time. I guess not. I hate shoot outs.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 03:44 PM

I am encouraged.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 01:55 PM

I think Italy will win today.

GO ENGLAND! MEAT PIE SAUSAGE ROLL!

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 11:10 AM

Some are gifted in more than one; and occasionally one has a Compton who follows both with great success. But Boris Becker had to decide in his mid-teens whether he was going to be a tennis player or a goalkeeper, having demonstrated exceptional talents in both. These days, I think a choice must be made, partly because the soccer season, with international competitions &c, is year-long. In Compton's time it was just a simple matter of soccer for Arsenal & England in winter, cricket for Middlesex and England in summer. Wouldn't work any more, alas.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: alanabit
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 10:40 AM

I think that is probably not the reason CET. Of course, a natural athleticism is an advantage in any sport. There are also, of course, a very few players who are exceptionally gifted in the skills of more than one sport. I believe Dennis Compton played both cricket and football at the top level.

However, although the skills of (say) a rugby player might be adaptable to a gaelic code of football or the Amnerican Football games, I would say that cricket and rugby require very different skills to football. I think that the very best athletes naturally gravitate towards the sport which usees their natural talent best.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: CET
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 06:22 AM

Does England's relative lack of talent have something to do with the fact that some of the players who would otherwise be stars at soccer play cricket and rugby instead? I would where Ireland might stand as a world rugby power, for example, if there were no Gaelic sports to attract the available talent.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 06:13 AM

You're right about offside, gnu. I once OP'd a thread about getting rid of it, & it ran to about 70 posts from 28 Feb 10 - 27 Jan 11.

I say again, away with the idiotic rule, keep the game moving, and leave it to the ingenuity of coaches & defences to obviate the always-cited "goalhanger" objection! You'll be amazed how it will improve the game; just as has the new[ish] passes·back·to·goalkeeper- no·handling rule, which everyone called a change too far till it happened & nobody would now do away with.

AWAY WITH OFFSIDE...

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: alanabit
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 04:37 AM

I hope very much that I am wrong about the outcome of tonight's game. Peter is right. There is a large amount of luck involved in football - and indeed, the luckless Ukranians deserve to be in the quarter final more than England. Having said that, I am delighted to see England there. The Germans are hoping for an England win, because they believe (probably rightly) that it would give them a much easier semi-final. However, it is a one off and if England show some of the form and spirit they showed against France and Sweden, they could have a chance. They will also need a large slice of luck. The realistic part of me says that Italy have better football players, so they should win! We will all be wiser tomorrow!

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 03:56 AM

"That would result in many more goals in a typical 90min - often 10-15 - without affecting the game as we know it."

It is difficult to score a goal hence when it is done there is real excitement. Near misses are often just as exciting. Widening the goals to make it easy enough to have two dozen goals scored per much would totally spoil it.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 08:29 PM

Get rid of offside and raise the goal scoring and the Yanks will get on board so much you'd wish they hadn't. Though, it's not required. The Yanks now have MLS. It won't be long. >;-)

Sorry if that offends. I just know the Yanks. They are good at "stuff" they wanna be good at.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 08:17 PM

Among sports pursued on the European side of the pond, football probably has the biggest element of luck. Certainly more than cricket; infinitely more than rugby. Accordingly Alanabit is overly pessimistic about England's prospects.

FIFA's next rule change should be to widen the goalposts by, say, 30cm and raise the crossbar by a few mil. That would result in many more goals in a typical 90min - often 10-15 - without affecting the game as we know it. We would then have a better measure of relative strengths, and the Yanks would at last be won over!

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: CET
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 06:06 PM

Didn't they beat Greece today? Dammit, they aren't the champions yet.

It's quiet now. The sound truck and the motorcade seem to have moved on to another part of town.

Why the bad luck for English football? Aren't they as soccer crazy as the rest of Europe?

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 05:52 PM

England are favourites to beat Italy.my prediction is one nil.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 05:39 PM

Odd. You would think they would be cheering for France. Perhaps it was just random revelry fueled? Anyway, the outcome today was never really in doubt for me. Spain is just toooo good.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: CET
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 05:35 PM

I am writing this from my hotel room in a smallish town in NW Germany. Judging from the noise outside I gather that the Germans are happy about the game today, and are celebrating by playing merengue music at insane sound levels. It reminds me of 1990. So much for getting over jet lag. I think I'll go out for an icecream.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 11:41 AM

GUEST was me, twice.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: alanabit
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 04:30 AM

I shall certainly cheer England all the way tomorrow. However, now that the tournament is in the final stages, I can't see Italy taking any nonsense from a team of vastly less talented players. The win against the Ukraine was a fluke and I can't see lightning striking twice in the same place in one tournament. England have done well to get this far and I am happy with that. Now it's time for the big boys to do their stuff!

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 05:15 PM

I shall cheer England all the way because I am more familiar with the players but it looks like Germany and Spain to me. Anybody's guess at this stage. Don't blink.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 05:02 PM

"So it will be a Germany vs Italy semi final."
!!!!!!
Possibly, alanabit; even probably ---

--- but just possibly not, you pessimistic old chicken-counter. Must be ever so encouraging to our team. to know there is such confidence in them at home...

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: alanabit
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 04:55 PM

Germany are through now and they thoroughly deserved it. They looked better than I had expected them too. For the first half hour, the Greeks restricted them to half chances. Then Phillip Lahm spotted a gap and after that, apart from a breakaway equaliser, which kept Greece level for six minutes, it was pretty much one way traffic. So it will be a Germany vs Italy semi final. My money will be on the Germans. They have found their rhythm now and they will have two more days to recover than the Italians. France could suddenly put it all together again, but I think you are right Den - the other finalist will probably be either Portugal or Spain.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 02:05 PM

Al... great video! Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: Den
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 12:41 PM

I'm still predicting a Spain, Germany final. Portugal look good now and could cause an upset against Spain who I think will stroll past France.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 09:41 AM

Hi

I watched the game last night. Not the best advertisement for attacking football by the Czechs thought plenty of inter-passing movements that looked pretty but got nowhere.

Portugal always looked more dangerous especially when Ronaldo had the ball. He looked a class above the rest and IMHO his last two games must put him in line as one of the best players in the tournament.

Not that Portugal are merely a one man team. Nani often looks great and makes some defence-breaking runs. His final ball as normal leaves a little ( no.....a lot) to be desired. The full backs attack really well and they are certainly improving with each game.

Tonight Germany will need to be near their best to beat a workmanlike Greece. I expect them (Germany) to have too much energy,organisation and firepower to see them home comfortably.

Funny team though the Greeks. Who would have fancied them to win the Title in 2004 eh ???

Could an upset be on the cards??

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 04:27 AM

Why are you being so bloody negative, Ake? You obviously have an ingrained dislike of the subject of this thread, so stay off it.

It is one of those peculiar perversions to which Catters are prone to keep intruding on threads for the express purpose of denouncing their topics. Why will they do it?!

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: akenaton
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 03:05 AM

"BTW, YT has a video compilation of Rooney's fouls. I never knew he was such a PRICK! My opinion of him is far less after watching the vid."

Your opinion of Professional Football would also be far less, if you knew anything about how it is administered.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 09:59 PM

love this song!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30_50J94m84&feature=em-share_video_user

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 05:25 PM

At the moment. Yes indeed... at the moment. Don't blink.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: alanabit
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 05:09 PM

That was a very good performance by Portugal. They seem to be in gear now and there is a lot more about them than just Ronaldo. I have no doubt that they would give England a right mauling and they may well be a match for even Germany or Spain in this form.
I expect a really dire game tomorrow. Germany have the will but not so much imagination to break down Greece. I think they will just about make it in the end. England have probably gone as far as a modest amount of talent can take them. Does that mean it is shaping up for a Germany vs Italy semi-final?
On paper the Spanish should eat the French - but the game is not being played on paper. I also reckon that with the Spaniards' tenedency to over elaborate and the French habit of suddenly coming good without warning, it looks too close to call. At the moment Portugal are looking the most attractive side left in it. Who would have thought that ten days ago?

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 03:47 PM

Oops... DOESN'T know the rules... sorry. I was typing fast to get the post in before the game.

The Czechs looked very sharp in their passing and defense as did the Portuguese but moreso to me. Some of those passes have to be sheer confidence that the receiver will be where he is supposed to be... or they have eyes in the backs of their heads.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 02:43 PM

BTW, YT has a video compilation of Rooney's fouls. I never knew he was such a PRICK! My opinion of him is far less after watching the vid.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 02:39 PM

Okay... here is a chance for youse to edjumacate a Canuck who just KNOW the rules or how they are (not)interpreted properly. Seems to be a lot of "give". Also, I plead ignorance on at two least levels. I never saw a game of "soccer" until I went to uni and the only reason I did see one was I was playing Canadian football on an adjacent field. We never got to see football on TV here until we got cable. Then, we only got to watch SOME of the World Cup every four years. Then, we got one, two if lucky, Premiership games per week. We get a lot more now, thank goodness.

So, ladies and gents, please offer your
explantions/opinions.

For what it's worth, I am a Canuck. When I played Canuck squash in our uni residence, we checked just like we check in hockey. You get between me and the Yellow Dot and yer fair game. You get between me and a clear shot to the wall, you get a blue dot with the Yellow Dor in the small of your back. LET that be a lesson.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 01:52 PM

"But then he does drink too much in the daytime."

Hahahahaa!

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 01:49 PM

Oh, tell me about it, MikeL. Still have a couple of permanently swollen fingers; & I remember one great lummox who caught me off-balance just as I caught the ball & barged me in & then stumbled & sat on my head ~~ & the benighted ref gave it as a goal. He [the barger not the ref] was called Alfred Young, I recall, & we were at Cambridge together a couple of years later ~ funny the things you remember!

Ah: happy days [up to a point, Lord Copper!].

Best

~M~

Sorry to all for drift. Back to the Euros!

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 11:37 AM

Hi

Michael- I couldn't agree more about the shirt pulling and pants tugging that goes on unstopped by officials. Add to that body checking -this does sometimes get recognised but often they get it wrong.

In the England game there was some blatant body checking ( by both sides) they went unpunished and then when Gerrard made a perfectly legal shoulder to shoulder charge he was pulled up !!!

As you are an ex goalkeeper you will no doubt remember that shoulder charging the goalkeeper was perfectly legal ( provided his feet were on the ground). And of course the keeper had to bounce the ball as he ran to the edge of the penalty area to kick out. We did not have the lovely playing surfaces that we have now either. Often the ball would just stick in the mud. Got a few fingers kicked and stood for this.

Foreign teams did not like this and the rule was changed so that now even staring too hard at the keeper can result in a foul.

So now the goalkeepers are protected but anything goes for the rest of the players.

Tonight I will watch quite relaxed. Don't care who wins !!

My brother-in-law who lives in Spain has just told me that he fancies an England v Portugal final. But then he does drink too much in the daytime.

Would be nice though Rooney v Ronaldo!!!

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jun 12 - 07:38 PM

No football today... sighhhhh. I miss my fix.

Peter... time of the month? Every time. Far too often. Juat pisses me off. I mean, why bother unless...? If one has nothin to contibute... don't.

Subject: RE: BS: UEFA EURO 2012 (football)
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 20 Jun 12 - 12:46 PM

"We would have been out had we lost" Are you sure? Had England lost by one goal to nil then they would have been on 4 points which is the same as France; the teams drew in their head to head so it would go to goal difference; both teams would have scored the same number of goals as they conceded; so I take it after that the team who scored more goals would go through. England would have scored 4 and France only 3. Seems logical anyway!