[Siergiej]

That's a sound argument. Clearly proves Suarez is superior to CR. You win.

[Macros]

Woop! Republic re though.
Surprised, happily surprised, didn't really fancy them to get out of that group.

Bye bye to zlatan and sweden. Cant see him playing a major tourney again he's 34? Now.

We've got Wales then. Will be a tough tough game. Especially with Bales pace, need to keep it tight and not concede free kicks in his range bracket. Can see McGovern being busy again.

[Macros]

Siergiej, on 22 June 2016 - 08:52 PM, said:

That's a sound argument. Clearly proves Suarez is superior to CR. You win.

Thank you
Also your stats are on a time period where Ronaldo has been playing with a team of galacticos. Saurez has only been surrounded by world class talent for 2 years. At barca he's like 84 in 96, with a ball of assists, not playing as their main man, but working with messi and neymar. At liverpool he was by hi.self and nearly carried us to the league title on his own. Who of worth was he with at Ajax? He's Uruguay's all time leading scorer.

[Siergiej]

Actually, his second best season ever was at Ajax, so it's not like lack of quality counterparts was somehow holding him back in those days. And as for Ronaldo, when he moved to Madrid he would starts alongside Kaka who in 2009 was nothing but a fancy name and Benzema, who took a long time to take off in Real and is still nowhere near Neymar and Messi. It's only three years ago that he got to play alongside Bale, a player closer to his level. Benzema, Kaka, Higuain are nowhere near. And he still has a better track record than Suarez even if you consider Luis only in his Barcelona period. I don't even like CR but I just don't see any angle from which one could reasonably argue Suarez's superiority.

Messi and CR are in a league of their own, far above the other players. Yes, in individual seasons Suarez and Ibra did climb to their heights but no one ever remained at this level for as long as these two.

Back to Euro: good thing Sweden is out. Probably the worst team at the tournament. Zlatan was never a big game guy and the rest of Swedes did nothing to help him. Out with them.

[Coltaine -]

Switzerland : Poland
Wales : Northern Ireland
Croatia : Portugal
France : Ireland
Germany : Slowakia
Hungary : Belgium
Italy : Spain
England : Iceland

Dammit. Next round we will lose Northern Ireland or Wales for sure, and tough opponents for Iceland and Ireland.

Italy:Spain will be very interesting.

[Mentalist]

Oh, wow. Ireland beat Italy? Cool upset.

I've been back to work today and super-busy.
So the unlucky 3rd places were Albania and Turkey, right?

Poland, Croatia (judging on POR's play in 2 early games, no clue about today's game- mebbe they finally stepped up their game), France and Germany are most likely moving on (based on what I've seen of them)

Belgium too, probably, but just like England, their inconsistency leaves plenty of room for upsets.

The British Derby is too close a call, but rule of thumb makes me think that offensive-minded team should trump a defensive one, so i'll go with Wales.

Italy-Spain will be exciting. Another hard one to call.

[Khellendros]

I'm going with Poland, Wales, Croatia, France, Germany, Spain, and England in the quarters. Hungary-Belgium is too close to call. Hungary have really impressed me and Belgium...have not.

Wales or Croatia to get to the final.

[amphibian]

100% sure Italy and Spain will play an awful game in terms of spectating. Tons of midfield cycling and trying in vain to get fullback overlaps just above the box.

[Mentalist]

I've only seen Italy v Belgium and Spain v Croatia. From that, I'd say Italy, by a very low margin. But that's really not a very informed opinion and I realize it.

Most likely, Spain will attack, Italy will try to defend and break out. It won't be a high-paced game, but that doesn't mean it'll be necessarily boring.

[Macros]

Yeah I can see italy holding back and soaking up pressure. Its something they have done well in the past.
Will it work against spain? If they turn up, no, but will they turn up?

[Siergiej]

I don't see Italy winning against Spain. Maybe if they can hold out to the extra time, they can catch tired Spaniards off guard, but otherwise I don't think they have enough arguments. They, as usually, have powerful defence, but against Spain midfield will be extremely important and Italy is mediocre here. Their attack is also a bunch of decent players but without a clear leader and any outstanding individuals, though same can be said about Spain this year.

I'm curious about Hungary v Belgium. On paper Belgium is stronger in every way, but they've been a huge disappointment for me. They have an incredible generation of players and for the past 2-3 years their core squad has been very similar. And yet each time I see Belgium on the pitch, they seem like a bunch of dudes who see each other for the first time. No flow, no pace, no chemistry. Hungarians can be a threat if they give it 200%.

[Tattersail_]

The game between Ireland and Italy last night had the best atmosphere i've seen at a match in a while, the Irish fans are awesome!!

[Tapper]

Macros, on 22 June 2016 - 08:57 PM, said:

Siergiej, on 22 June 2016 - 08:52 PM, said:

That's a sound argument. Clearly proves Suarez is superior to CR. You win.

Thank you
Also your stats are on a time period where Ronaldo has been playing with a team of galacticos. Saurez has only been surrounded by world class talent for 2 years. At barca he's like 84 in 96, with a ball of assists, not playing as their main man, but working with messi and neymar. At liverpool he was by hi.self and nearly carried us to the league title on his own. Who of worth was he with at Ajax? He's Uruguay's all time leading scorer.

Actually, the Ajax team back then wasn't half bad in hindsight: Suarez played with Stekelenburg (Roma, Fulham, back-up at Southampton), Vermaelen (Arsenal, Barca), Vertonghen (Spurs) Alderweireld (Altletico, Southampton, Spurs). Gregory van der Wiel (Paris Saint Germain) Siem de Jong (Newcastle), Vernon Anita (Newcastle), Urby Emmanuelson (AC Milan) as regulars.
Daley Blind was only 20 and spent time on loan to Groningen, Christian Eriksen also still had to establish himself.

[Gorefest]

Macros, on 22 June 2016 - 08:54 PM, said:

Bye bye to zlatan and sweden. Cant see him playing a major tourney again he's 34? Now.

No, he's already announced his retirement. And considering that the Netherlands meets Sweden in the WC2018 qualifiers, that's a big sigh of relief. Who knows, we might make it to a tournament again at some point

[Tapper]

Khellendros, on 23 June 2016 - 12:05 AM, said:

I'm going with Poland, Wales, Croatia, France, Germany, Spain, and England in the quarters. Hungary-Belgium is too close to call. Hungary have really impressed me and Belgium...have not.

Wales or Croatia to get to the final.

I'll copy you except for Iceland over England and Italy over Spain, and will pencil in Belgium, too (in the least convincing 1-0 of the round). Croatia-Germany as the final.

England can perhaps defeat anyone on a good day, but it seems there's more hope than game plan behind the line-ups. Iceland may be the less talented squad, but everyone in it knows exactly what they're doing.

[Macros]

Turn your volume down

[Tiste Simeon]

Iceland are a team full of passion, desire and enthusiasm.

England are... well, England. If we beat Iceland we won't make it past the next round but I actually fancy Iceland winning that game.

Wales will beat NI but I think it will be an amazing and close game.

After that game against Portugal I would like to see Hungary go far. Croatia too.

Hope Spain, Portugal and France drop out.

Can't see Germany losing to Slovakia.

All in all, an exciting next round!

[Mentalist]

I don't see France losing to Ireland, although I'm not a French fan. Still, stranger thigs have happened.

[Siergiej]

Fucking fuck, we're Europe's TOP8. Not nearly sober enough to formulate a reasonable opinion. Kuba is god, Shaqiri's goal is the best one of the tournament. Fabiański <3. Milik should be banned from football.

[Tiste Simeon]

Yeah Poland are looking good!!