[Gorefest]

Mentalist, on 13 June 2016 - 08:57 PM, said:

Saw the last 60 min of the Belgium-Italy game (right before the goal, basically)

Belgium were pretty lost when it came to creativity. They have a good roster and some real talent everywhere (including some phenomenal defending), but they were not a very cohesive team. Italy, otoh, played D almost perfectly, blocking off all avenues of shooting inside the box. Belgium had a few great chances they could not finish, but their D was sloppy and unorganized at times. A few times Courtois pulled them out, but not every time.

Belgian probably has the most talented squad on the tournament, but a disastrously poor coach, Wilmots. He seems scared to instill discipline in the group and assign tasks to his top players. So he just sticks a bunch of names on the squad sheet of guys that he doesn't dare to pass by and then hopes that on the pitch they will have a spell of individual class which may decide the match. It's quicksand, no team tactics or anything like that. A sad waste of a talented group. Not a title contender.

Italy on the other hand was very impressive. On paper not one of their strongest teams, historically speaking, but they play as a unit and each player clearly knows their place in the team and the role(s) they have to fill in. A joy to watch, and this is coming from someone who traditionally has always disliked Italian squads (especially their Euro 2000 squad...). An outsider for me before the tournament, but if they keep up this performance I really rate them highly on this tournament.

[amphibian]

France has the most talented squad at this tourney in terms of total package of skill/touch, athleticism, and smarts across their team. Belgium is third, behind Germany.

What the Italians have is indeed the best team organization of any squad in the tournament and Bonucci, Chiellini, and Barzagli - likely the best defensive partnership in the world right now. They have the benefit of being club teammates, so they're superbly used to each other and how to play both defensive and attacking soccer. The injuries to Verratti and Marchisio hurt the team in terms of talent, but they do have acceptable hustle substitutes.

What hurt Belgium really wasn't the poor performance of individual players - the Italians put together a defensive masterpiece and blocked 9 or 10 decent shots. What hurt the Belgians was that in transition, their defensive organization wasn't right and it took too long for them to close up the spaces on Bonucci and Chiellini. This happened again and again, despite Nainggolan and Feillani's inclusion. I'm not sure if this is because the Belgians didn't have the right length of time to gel or the coaching or a combination of that and more. But it was the transition game where the Italians accumulated their chances and advantages.

Lukaku and Origi have the same problems - they're athletic and smart enough to get opportunities to score, but not skillful enough to convert them at truly world class rates. It's a frustrating problem to have, especially for Lukaku, since he is 23, playing at high level clubs regularly, and should already have these skills/adjustments down.

I'm still picking France to barely edge out Germany (who beats Italy decisively) for the semi-finals and beat whoever comes out of the weak other half of the bracket.

[Gorefest]

Rooting for my club team's goalkeeper tonight against the Portuguese. Go Hannes!! NEC ole.

[Mentalist]

Anything that makes Cristiano Ronaldo cry is a good thing. Go, Iceland!

[Gorefest]

Awesome result. Gods I so hate the Portuguese team. Cannot stand them, never could, never will. Pepe should just be locked up.

This post has been edited by Gorefest: 14 June 2016 - 08:56 PM

[amphibian]

I'm always amazed about how the Portuguese have managed to squander the career of the second best player ever. The consistent defensive lapses, the failure to develop true secondary offensive options, and the flaming out at every major tournament is a thing to behold.

Yeah, Messi is the best ever in my opinion.

[Coltaine -]

Iceland I love you. Missed most of the game. But the result is awesome.

My favourite underdog in this competition.

[Tiste Simeon]

ÁFRAM ÍSLAND!

Some of you know how much I love Iceland. I have been there twice in the past two years, and would dearly love to actually move out there. It is simply the most wonderful, beautiful country and people I have ever been to!

Oh my days I was so freaking happy with that result!

Edit:

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 15 June 2016 - 08:19 AM

[Mentalist]

Looks like Slovakia just made Group B really interesting. If the British Derby tomorrow ends in a draw, it'll be basically a free for all.

[Tiste Simeon]

Yeah I really hope we beat Wales and hit the top of the table. Theoretically it shouldn't be a problem but since when do England ever - EVER - make things easy for themselves?

[Mentalist]

I really want to see the replay of the Switzerland-Romania game now. Did not expect that result at all. Good on Romania keeping their chances alive like that.

[amphibian]

Mentalist, on 15 June 2016 - 11:53 PM, said:

I really want to see the replay of the Switzerland-Romania game now. Did not expect that result at all. Good on Romania keeping their chances alive like that.

It was mostly the Swiss knocking the ball about and attacking. The Romanians got quasi-lucky with a fast counter/penalty.

The French game was similar, but the French didn't foul in the box and managed to rip two goals late. I still think this is the most talented team in the tourney, but they are prone to making mistakes defensively that could lead to late fouls/penalties. Part of this is that most of their players are really fast, but not great at anticipating the opponent shifting into their path (plus a little plain ol dirty play by the French defenders too).

[Mentalist]

PVR-ing the PL-GER game. will take a long luch to watch UA-NIR tomorrow (did 2 hours of overtime tonight to make sure I`m on top of my work tomorrow to do this)

Round 2 has been pretty crazy so far, we need those wins.

[Macros]

At the stadium.
Was taking a piss there, chatting to a Ukrainian guy from toronto. Just assumed it was ment.
I am disappointed

[Tiste Simeon]

Ugh, Sterling is utterly terrible. He needs to go. Can't bear the thought of losing to Wales, we'll never hear the end of it...

[Mentalist]

Macros, on 16 June 2016 - 01:10 PM, said:

At the stadium.
Was taking a piss there, chatting to a Ukrainian guy from toronto. Just assumed it was ment.
I am disappointed

It was probably the Ukrainian interpreter that didn't show up for my hearing this morning,

On the bright side, someone Uki from the other side also didn' show up, so got it wrapped up early. Almost in the office, gotta fax a few things wit deadlines, then off to an extended lunch in close proximity of a TV screen

[Tiste Simeon]

Dang, it's stressful supporting England, they never make it easy...

[amphibian]

Tiste Simeon, on 16 June 2016 - 01:55 PM, said:

Ugh, Sterling is utterly terrible. He needs to go. Can't bear the thought of losing to Wales, we'll never hear the end of it...

Rooney was playing worse than Sterling. He doesn't work right for the team as a center midfielder, so Sterling can't vibe right off his play and work the way Sterling works best.

Bringing in Vardy and Sturridge changed the game a ton because they work with Rooney better.

Ramsey plays very well now that he's not injured all the damn time. England's right back is awful at crossing. Just really bad at it.

[Gorefest]

Pfffff. Just got back from the pub with some colleagues. That was a close call! Vardy looked miles off-side and the second injury time goal was a proper messy skrimmage, but they all count. It wasn't a pretty win, but who cares. Onwards and upwards.

[amphibian]

The Vardy goal was onside because it went off a Welsh defender.