Euro 2024

[Maximus Decimus]

So it's now simple.

If Czechia or Georgia win, we play Slovakia.

If neither win (or Czechia win by 3+) we play the Netherlands.

Georgia are winning...

 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Right, we've already switched over!

[Maximus Decimus]

1 minute ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

Right, we've already switched over!

Haha me too!

[HawkMan]

Sticking with Czechia game for now, they showed Georgia goal , so while there's double jeopardy here, I'll stick with it. If Czechia score Turkey are out if Georgia win. Re- assess at half time.

[Maximus Decimus]

2 minutes ago, HawkMan said:

Sticking with Czechia game for now, they showed Georgia goal , so while there's double jeopardy here, I'll stick with it. If Czechia score Turkey are out if Georgia win. Re- assess at half time.

Been more excitement so far than the last two sets of groups!

[The Hallucinating Goose]

So I switch over and almost straight away there's some action in the other game with a man sent off for Czechia! 

[HawkMan]

1 minute ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

So I switch over and almost straight away there's some action in the other game with a man sent off for Czechia! 

Hahaha.....I'm now switching over to Portugal Georgia,  game ruined with sending off. If Portugal equalise I'll switch back.

[Maximus Decimus]

This ref is having none of Portugal's antics!

[The Hallucinating Goose]

PENALTY!!!

[The Hallucinating Goose]

C'MON GEORGIA!!!

[17 stone giant]

Once again we find ourselves in what (on paper at least) looks to be the much easier half of the draw.

Who is it we play now in the last 16? Is it Lapland or Disneyland? I've lost track.

[HawkMan]

15 minutes ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

C'MON GEORGIA!!!

Just to point out, you're cheering Georgia,  but don't like the format. Without this format Georgia winning  wouldn't mean anything if Turkey win. This format does encourage more excitement in last group games. It does also encourage boring draws, last night for example,  but I'd rather keep the format.

[HawkMan]

1 minute ago, 17 stone giant said:

Once again we find ourselves in what (on paper at least) looks to be the much easier half of the draw.

Who is it we play now in the last 16? Is it Lapland or Disneyland? I've lost track.

If results stay the same, Slovakia.

[17 stone giant]

1 minute ago, HawkMan said:

If results stay the same, Slovakia.

I'll take that above having to play Netherlands.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

2 minutes ago, HawkMan said:

Just to point out, you're cheering Georgia,  but don't like the format. Without this format Georgia winning  wouldn't mean anything if Turkey win. This format does encourage more excitement in last group games. It does also encourage boring draws, last night for example,  but I'd rather keep the format.

I'm not cheering the fact Georgia are going through, I'm cheering the fact Georgia, I'll repeat that, GEORGIA, are beating PORTUGAL 2-0. 10 minutes to go, if nothing changes this is one of the biggest shocks in Euros history!

[The Hallucinating Goose]

What a performance by Georgia. Incredible, absolutely incredible. Well done Georgia!

[Maximus Decimus]

A country smaller than Scotland and they were awesome.

It might not win a tournament, but the way some of the smaller teams play is what fans of Scotland and even England would love.

If (and it's still a big if) we end up in the latter stages of this tournament, we'll owe a lot to Georgia.

[gingerjon]

England v Slovakia.

The time for excuses has passed.

[Maximus Decimus]

13 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

England v Slovakia.

The time for excuses has passed.

Sideways or backwards in England's case.

[Maximus Decimus]

Much will be made of the lucky draw and rightly so, but Southgate's England hasn't always had it like some will assert.

In 2018, we indisputedly had a lucky draw. In 2020, it was good but not great. The reward for winning the group was Germany in the 2nd round. Regardless of how they were underperforming, when you consider the baggage of Germany, that was a tough game. After that it was pretty good.

2022 wasn't a good draw. The reward for winning the group, and a comfortable 2nd round victory was the current World Champions. Hardly lucky.

[Maximus Decimus]

Whilst Slovakia is a good draw, we need to improve. They're very similar to who we've played against and struggled with. 

We could easily end up with another frustrating night where we get dragged to pens, or worse countered and unable to score.

It's crucial we start scoring and probably early, or the Southgate era could end like where it started from. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

1 hour ago, 17 stone giant said:

I'll take that above having to play Netherlands.

I don’t think it’s a vintage Netherregions by any stretch, but happy to avoid them.

[gingerjon]

8 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

Whilst Slovakia is a good draw, we need to improve. They're very similar to who we've played against and struggled with. 

We could easily end up with another frustrating night where we get dragged to pens, or worse countered and unable to score.

It's crucial we start scoring and probably early, or the Southgate era could end like where it started from. 

Slovakia will almost certainly play in the style of their fellow ex-Yugoslavians so, as you say, England effectively have two options: go slow and fall over each other's feet through lack of momentum or inject some pace and direct play into the mix.

[Tommygilf]

25 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

Slovakia will almost certainly play in the style of their fellow ex-Yugoslavians so, as you say, England effectively have two options: go slow and fall over each other's feet through lack of momentum or inject some pace and direct play into the mix.

Fellow ex Yugoslavians? You disappoint me sir

[Tommygilf]

England Route to the final:

Slovakia then

Italy/Switzerland

Then a semi final against Netherlands/Romania or Austria/Turkey

Can't deny the opportunity is there to be taken.