EUROPEAN 2016 Championship Finals France

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 27, 2016, 11:32 am

"Will stattos dream of a Poland v Iceland final still be alive tomorrow ?"

hmm not sure where I got Iceland in the final from

The ONLY one of Matts selections I disagreed with was Croatia to be replaced by Poland

BTW just missed the "lady in Red ... and White with baby" again yesterday .... switched from Stadium 1 to 2 at HT of France game and missed her by about 45 - 50 seconds as they had just got to HT in the Poland/Switz rerun

Post by **mathusalah80** » June 27, 2016, 2:56 pm

Zidane wrote:France 2 Republic of Ireland 1
Germany 3 Slovakia 0
Hungary 0 Belgium 4

.In all honesty it could have been a thrashing but a combination of unlucky finishing, bad finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score down.-
So you don't consider the never say die, fighting spirit of the Irish team, which refused to lie down, was also a factor? . While still disappointing, considering the gulf in class between the two teams, the French showed a marked improvement on previous games. Two or three refereeing decisions, against the Irish left me both bewildered, and suspicious. I have never considered this French squad justified the position of pre-tournament favourites, and I would certainly back any of Germany, Spain or Belgium to beat hem. (Zid, please note! :-" )/.

Germany were very impressive, easily overcoming Slovakia. This was a very dominant display by the Germans, unlike what we saw in the group stages.
Yes, the German machine now looks to have been fully serviced and tuned and, last night, functioned with the efficiency & precision normally associated with German National sides. Hopefully the Germans will be meeting Spain, in the quarter finals. In which case viewers will be entertained by a contest pitting the individual flair and spontaneity of the Spanish players, against the disciplined machine like efficiency of the German team unit. A better prospect by far than that of waking up in the early hours to watch German & Italy play a game of football chess, and end up falling asleep in the armchair. (as I write this last comment, I have a mental picture of Statto tearing up his home in uncontrollable rage as Germany & Italy see which can enter the Guinness Book Of Records, for the most back passes in 90 minutes $\:D/$ $\:D/$ )

Eden Hazard starred as Belgium thumped Hungary 4-0 and scored a fine individual goal.
It wasn't competitive, but a fact compensated for, by Belgium seizing the opportunity to finally get into gear and put on a footballing display worthy of a side brimming with talented players. Hazard demonstrated last night that he has finally overcome the traumatizing influence of , and loss of personal confidence and esteem he suffered under, Mourinho. He put on a superb individual , but team enhancing, display; joining together, seamlessly, the skills of a world class 'playmaker', with that of a world class 'striker'. If the Belgian manager could just find some means of revitalizing the seriously out of form Lukaku then, in my opinion, Belgian would now have to be considered Championship favourites.

Belgian will meet Wales on Friday in Lille.
I expect an entertaining game, with Belgian, sadly but inevitably, ending what has been a wonderful 'Welsh Fairytale", which I suggest has given pleasure & entertainment to football fans the world over. "

At 11pm Thai, Spain take on Italy.
Expect plenty of simulations, petty fouls, histrionics and gamesmanship, from the Italians playing in that negative, defensive style guaranteed, to enrage Statts, to whom I strongly recommend, an early night! Provided the Spanish players do not allow themselves to give way to frustration and retaliation, their superior football skills should ensure the already eagerly awaited match up against Germany.

At 2am tomorrow .. England take on the might of Iceland in a match that has been called Roy Hodgson's Brexit. If England lose then our Woy will be making a sharp one !Will Woy play it safe by picking Kane and Milner or will he give Rashford or Barkley chance ?
Stop being facetious Zid, ; the whole of the footballing world knows what decisions Hodgson will make. Even if, (when?), England lose, he is far more likely to 'do a Corbyn' than resign. I have nothing to add, to the views expressed in my previous post.

Will stattos dream of a Poland v Iceland final still be alive tomorrow ?
.....

Statts wrote: The ONLY one of Matts selections I disagreed with was Croatia to be replaced by Poland

Now, Now Statts, don't be a naughty boy You know very well that my post was submitted AFTER Croatia had already been eliminated. Incidentally, Croatia really did perform exceptionally badly, against Portugal.

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 27, 2016, 5:54 pm

Errrrr Mat .......
"Now, Now Statts, don't be a naughty boy

You know very well that my post was submitted AFTER Croatia had already been eliminated. Incidentally, Croatia really did perform exceptionally badly, against Portugal.

Mats Post at 5;05 pm 25th june "Zid: my four semi finalists are Croatia, Belgium, Spain & ENGLAND. You pick your four, and whichever of us pick the most actual semi finalists, wins the bet. If the same number, no bet. Stake is two bottles of JC Classic Semillon Chardonnay, preferably vintage 2014. Please confirm before 1930hrs, tonight, (Thai time)."

Thats 5 05 pm Thai Time nearly 7 hrs BEFORE Croatia kicked off

Post by **Zidane** » June 27, 2016, 6:42 pm

ROY HODGSON TO TAKE A GAMBLE WITH STERLING

When Roy Hodgson announced he was prepared to take a gamble on Sterling he immediately got phone calls from Boris Johnson and Michael Gove telling him not to be so hasty as Sterling was a bit of a disaster at the moment.
Perplexed,Roy then told the troublesome twosome that he was talking about Raheem Sterling the footballer not the Pound Sterling !

So it looks like Sterling will play tonight,along with Harry Kane.Lallana and Vardy look likely to miss out,which is a bit tough on them,but a least mat and stattos personal favourite,Daniel Sturridge,looks likely to start ! :-"

"England manager Roy Hodgson looks certain to recall Raheem Sterling for what he accepts is a "win or bust" match against Iceland in the last 16 at Euro 2016 in Nice on Monday.
The 21-year-old Manchester City winger, who has struggled so far in the tournament, is expected to replace Adam Lallana as Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge form England's attacking spearhead.
Sterling was substituted at half-time in the 2-1 win against Wales when England trailed 1-0 and was left out of the goalless draw with Slovakia.
However, Sterling received strong public backing from England assistant boss Ray Lewington and former Liverpool team-mate Sturridge, who told BBC Radio 5 Live that Sterling was "one of the most talented players in the world".
He is likely to start on the left with Kane through the centre, leaving Sturridge to try and pose a threat from a position on the right."

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 27, 2016, 7:01 pm

PLEASE tell me you are joking Zid ...... even against Iceland

Post by **Zidane** » June 27, 2016, 7:04 pm

Oh,by the way,the beautiful Swiss lady with the baby at the Switzerland v Poland match is now on the net.
She is Erjona Sulejmani the wife of Swiss footballer Blerim Dzemaili....this is a nicer picture of her....

Yes,of course I'm joking statts....no way would Boris Johnson or Michael Gove phone Roy Hodgson....I take it that's what you are referring to ?

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 27, 2016, 7:15 pm

Ah, that's more like a still from the shot before h/time =D>

Surely even Sturridge can't have a bad game against the Iceland defence [-o<

Post by **mathusalah80** » June 27, 2016, 9:40 pm

stattointhailand wrote:Errrrr Mat .......
"Now, Now Statts, don't be a naughty boy You know very well that my post was submitted AFTER Croatia had already been eliminated. Incidentally, Croatia really did perform exceptionally badly, against Portugal.
Mats Post at 5;05 pm 25th june "Zid: my four semi finalists are Croatia, Belgium, Spain & ENGLAND. You pick your four, and whichever of us pick the most actual semi finalists, wins the bet. If the same number, no bet. Stake is two bottles of JC Classic Semillon Chardonnay, preferably vintage 2014. Please confirm before 1930hrs, tonight, (Thai time)."
that's 5 05 pm Thai Time nearly 7 hrs BEFORE Croatia kicked off

Errrr Statts!... NOW I see the source of the confusion! [-o<

YOU

Statts wrote: " The ONLY one of Matts selections I disagreed with was Croatia to be replaced by Poland

"
Statts, Obviously I have completely misunderstood your above sentence. I read it as saying you disagreed with ME having replaced Croatia with Poland, subsequent to naming my four semi finalist; which I didn't do.
I have now translated your 'Geordie' into English, and realize what you meant to say was: "The only one of Matts four selections I disagreed with was Croatia, which I would replace with Poland"

Clearly , along with a few other 'used to be ' football fans posting here, something is distracting you. Probably this Brexit business! $\:D/$ Do try and concentrate tonight, you lot, ON THE FOOTBALL

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 28, 2016, 3:36 am

stattointhailand wrote:Ah, that's more like a still from the shot before h/time =D>

Surely even Sturridge can't have a bad game against the Iceland defence [-o<

Post by **vlad** » June 28, 2016, 4:25 am

Iceland 2 poundland 1 woy and his staff rapped 5 mins after the game.

Post by **Brian Davis** » June 28, 2016, 4:28 am

Storm here, dogs woke me for last half hour, so can't comment on the game, but fairy tale stuff for Iceland. Well done. Enjoy.

Post by **Hages** » June 28, 2016, 6:38 am

Second Brexit in a week.......

Post by **GT93** » June 28, 2016, 7:56 am

How many baht a month might the average English player against Iceland earn? I think way too much.

Post by **marjamlew** » June 28, 2016, 8:02 am

I reckon 48% of the English players wanted to stay in Europe $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$

Post by **747man** » June 28, 2016, 8:34 am

Oh !! Dear Me.......What A Shambles.....Time for the Chop,Woy !!!

Post by **Brian Davis** » June 28, 2016, 8:51 am

747man wrote:Oh !! Dear Me.......What A Shambles.....Time for the Chop,Woy !!!

Gone already. Does he have to make his own way home now?

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36647032

Post by **747man** » June 28, 2016, 8:59 am

Brian Davis wrote:
747man wrote:Oh !! Dear Me.......What A Shambles.....Time for the Chop,Woy !!!
Gone already. Does he have to make his own way home now?

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36647032

Yes I Just read that Brian,Maybe he'll find passage on an inflatable boat from Calais

Post by **Zidane** » June 28, 2016, 9:13 am

Italy 2 Spain 0
England 1 Iceland 2

Italy completely outfought holders Spain and if it wouldn't have been for the brilliance of Spains keeper,David de Gea,they would have had a hatful.It was a surprise that it took till injury time for Italys second goal.
Spain have no decent strikers and their golden era in football is well and truly over.Manager Vincent del Bosque is retiring after 8 years in the job and it may be some time before they are a tournament winning side again.

Similar to England.....but not 50 plus years,surely.......

Difficult to know where to start with England performance.All the players were shocking bar substitute,Rashford,who came on with just 4 minutes to go and made a couple of decent runs.
England were gifted a penalty after 5 minutes which looked a bit of a harsh decision to me.But no problem for Iceland as they were level within a minute.Ten minutes later worse was to follow as Hart let a shot squirm out of his grasp and into the net.(Iceland just 2 shots and 2 goals at that stage).
With 75 minutes to go we expected England to lay siege to the Iceland goal but it never came.They were absolutely woeful with everything they did.Iceland actually looked more composed on the ball and threatened with occasional breakaways.
Half time,England 2-1 down....bad but not irreversible you would think ? The obvious substitution would be either Vardy or Rashford for Pounds Sterling.But no,Hodgson brought on that little s h I t Wilshere for Dier !

Wilshere is not international class and has been rubbish in this tournament and last night was no exception.
Sterling was replaced by Vardy 20 minutes into the second half but it made no difference,though.
With 15 minutes to go and losing 2-1 the English fans were shouting for Rashford to come on but Hodgson waited until 4 minutes from time to bring him on.....too late to make a real impact.
All the players were shocking but special mention on the night must be made for blundering keeper Hart and Rooney who looked like a pub player

.But none of them were worth more than 4 out of 10 by me and that's being generous.
I do think Harry Kane deserves to pick up an award......for the worst free kicks in the world.....ever.

I think this ignonimous exit is worse than the last World Cup for at least we were eliminated by two decent teams,Italy and Uruguay,in that.
But all credit to Iceland.They played to their strengths and showed amazing spirit.They were easily the better team on the night and fully deserved their win ! =D>
England manager,Roy Hodgson,has resigned after this performance which is no surprise.

However,I'm sure many readers are interested in the latest news of the Chardonnay challenge on Udon Map !

Well,after last night the latest score is.....
mat80 1 (Belgium) Zid 3 (Belgium,France,Germany)
This,of course,means that it is now impossible for mat80 to win as both participants have Belgium !

If either France or Germany make it to the semis then mat will be paying a visit to the Wines and Spirits section at Big C,sooner rather than later !

If Poland make it through to the final then it is possible statto could win a tower of beer (and the chance to make new friends

) at Share restaurant !
But lets wait for the views of mat80 on last nights games and statto on Daniel Sturridges England performance later !

Post by **Brian Davis** » June 28, 2016, 9:30 am

As I said, I didn't see all the game, but now listening to the pundits ob BBC post match, it was a lot worse than I imagined.
There's always scope in football for a team of supposed 'lesser' players, with determination, effort, a system and perhaps a little luck, to surprise a superior side. That's much of the excitement of cup competitions in England and major talking points when there's a shock result. It does seem that Iceland had the above qualities, thus my earlier comment, but sadly, more a case of England being pretty pathetic in every aspect.
Just one personal observation. The game is about goals and essentially scoring more than you concede. A large amount of possession, attractive passing outside the penalty area counts for nothing unless there's an end product. You don't score unless you shoot/head the ball goalwards. What percentage of shots taken were actually on target? At least test the 'keeper! There will be 'out of the blue' special goals and whilst I've no coaching qualification, it does seem to me that there should more attention on getting the ball in the box, accurate, clinical shooting/crossing/heading, than passing the ball around the halfway line!

Post by **Barney** » June 28, 2016, 9:56 am

Well, time to move on, England weren't and haven't been for a long period now capable of winning a major tournament.
As Brian said, time to go home and practice some basics
I did read they were ranked 11th in the world.
Does this tournament change the world rankings for teams?

The German powerhouse seem to be the team to beat if they can overcome the Iti's.
Hope Wales give it a shot, but Belgium were on song eventually last game.
German Portugal final is my tip.