The Lemon Fool

nimnarb wrote:

Leothebear wrote:
GS, if nothing else, sure is lucky with the draws.

Avoided, Spain, France, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and wouldn't play any of them(or avoid most) until the finals. Is that right? If so, when was the last time we were in such a position?

Not quite. If results go with the big names, then England would play Italy in the quarters and NL in the semis.

France vs Belgium, FIFA ranked 2 vs 3, is a last 16 clash on the other side of the draw.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/eu ... /schedule#

nimnarb wrote:

Leothebear wrote:
GS, if nothing else, sure is lucky with the draws.

Avoided, Spain, France, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and wouldn't play any of them(or avoid most) until the finals. Is that right? If so, when was the last time we were in such a position?

Sorry I can't be @rsed to look it up but I seem to remember out "successes" ie finalist (at home) in the Euros and semi finalists in the WC were both rather kind draws.

Basically whenever we face a good team we lose.

Leothebear wrote:

nimnarb wrote:
Avoided, Spain, France, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and wouldn't play any of them(or avoid most) until the finals. Is that right? If so, when was the last time we were in such a position?

Sorry I can't be @rsed to look it up but I seem to remember out "successes" ie finalist (at home) in the Euros and semi finalists in the WC were both rather kind draws.

Basically whenever we face a good team we lose.

It would have had to have been a kind draw to make the final at home in 1996, the last time we were hosts, as we lost to Germany in the semi-final. Maybe 2028 will be different.

2020, which you are obviously referring to, was a strange tournament held in strange times. A tournament designed to be hosted by 13 different countries taking place during a global pandemic with many covid travel and attendance restrictions. Some things remain the same though, England top the group unbeaten only scoring 2 goals in 1-0 victories, and Scotland bringing up the rear with only 1 point. That easy route to the final though meant beating Germany, Ukraine and Denmark to play Italy.

On the usual method of assessing teams results over 90 minutes England were unbeaten. So were Italy, Sweden, France and Spain.

(Not sure how you can claim your last sentence though which doesn't survive when examined by the facts).

dealtn wrote:

Leothebear wrote:
Sorry I can't be @rsed to look it up but I seem to remember out "successes" ie finalist (at home) in the Euros and semi finalists in the WC were both rather kind draws.

Basically whenever we face a good team we lose.

It would have had to have been a kind draw to make the final at home in 1996, the last time we were hosts, as we lost to Germany in the semi-final. Maybe 2028 will be different.

2020, which you are obviously referring to, was a strange tournament held in strange times. A tournament designed to be hosted by 13 different countries taking place during a global pandemic with many covid travel and attendance restrictions. Some things remain the same though, England top the group unbeaten only scoring 2 goals in 1-0 victories, and Scotland bringing up the rear with only 1 point. That easy route to the final though meant beating Germany, Ukraine and Denmark to play Italy.

On the usual method of assessing teams results over 90 minutes England were unbeaten. So were Italy, Sweden, France and Spain.

(Not sure how you can claim your last sentence though which doesn't survive when examined by the facts).

2020 Germany, for a change were not anywhere near their best. Ukraine and Denmark were less of a threat than Spain, Portugal, France and Italy.
The "Usual method of assessing teams" doesn't include extra time nor penalties? Both are part of tournament football, so what's the point of ignoring them?

The business starts tonight. The Danes would pull off a real shock if they won it, but I don't think they will. Germany for me - 2-0

Leothebear wrote:The business starts tonight. The Danes would pull off a real shock if they won it, but I don't think they will. Germany for me - 2-0

So far you are spot on but really, what bad luck for the Danes. Zee Germans again. I don't care what happens, but please Germany v England in the finals and lose on penalties would seriously give me a piles attack. We have seen this picture so many times over the years(feels like decades and actually it is). Italy(they are toast) last time on penalties was bad enough but Zee Germans..no, no, no..Spain, whoever, whip their sausages.

Could a bit of this be the surprise package along with some crackers.....?

https://sporked.com/article/best-swiss-cheese/

I think England will get past Slovakia but they won't do the same with the Swiss, playing as they have done. I agree with Simoan, Foden and Bellingham do not combine well. GS needs to be brave and find the best team not just group the best players.

Leothebear wrote:I think England will get past Slovakia but they won't do the same with the Swiss, playing as they have done. I agree with Simoan, Foden and Bellingham do not combine well. GS needs to be brave and find the best team not just group the best players.

You were right with Germany but........................................aarghhhh!!!

Arf..

I'm about to blow a gasket here, watching this side to side passing with SVK 40 positions lower than us in European standings....

Don't think I have seen such a disgraceful 45 minutes performance ever. Like watching a third division team here. Make that 4th division. Looks like they are all scared of putting a foot wrong, have no idea what to do, and shatting their pants in the process as opposed to just going for it.

If they don't do something in the second half to justify them even being there, then not just Southgate(please just go) but all of them take the blame. Some of the passing has been so sloppy. Just pathetic and upsetting. Should be getting used to this but suppose I never will and yet this is simply appalling.................oh and no subs at half-time. What is wrong with this picture?

Saved by the Bell........................................................................ingham.

Had to go to the loo, missed the goal......!!!!!!

nimnarb wrote:Had to go to the loo, missed the goal......!!!!!!

Go to the loo again.

Sublime tactical thinking from Southgate. Don't waste a single scrap of your team's energy until the very last minute.

Result: the whole team is still in practically new and unused condition for the quarter final. Simply magnificent. Who'd a thunk it?

BJ

Phew!!!!

This has to be the worst England win ever.

People will say "see Southgate got us to another quarter final...."
What the f... were the England back four doing when in possession? It was simple time wasting when we were a goal down. Truly awful.

We can thank god Bellingham showed his skill with 85 seconds to go.

Gareth you have to have a different plan. You've tried doing things exactly the same way for a while now ........

I heard that Spanish teen sensation, Yamal, has a twin brother, Juan.

You'll never see them together though - but thats ok because when you've seen Juan, you've seen Yamal.

Just watching ITV news and they we're covering Bellingham's obscene gesture after scoring last night and the news reporter ended by saying "it was a nerve shredding match but with a happy ending".

I'm not at all sure if it was a bit of intentional tongue in cheek or if he was oblivious to his double entendre.