The EURO 2012 Thread

[This Charming Man]

Why ?

I would rather give it a miss and have a half-serious chance in France 2016 than get worked up over no chance in Brazil 2014 AND be back at square one.

What an utterly ridiculous logic.

[This Charming Man]

Read loads of stories like yours. Saying it was a cracking trip, no trouble or hassle and that the BBC thing is now an utter embarrassment.

Apparently, not one England fan was arrested in Poland or Ukraine during the whole time

I'd been there before with England, so when watching that Panorama programme I was literally cringing at Campbell's comments. Most locals were decked out in England shirts and the like and were even friendly - which is a rarity in Eastern Europe.

Cheap booze, cheap food and lovely weather. The 3 main factors for a good tournament. The infrastructure wasn't quite there but you can't hold every tournament in Germany, France etc.

[Frank's cousin]

I kind of get what Alps is saying. If you want to build something new, we do need to start afresh with a bunch of younger players who may have the POTENTIAL to gell over time and importantly develop a new style of play that eventually comes naturally. That may mean that to begin with the qualifying campaign may not run 100% as planned, but the aim surely would still be to qualify, and let this new group gain some tournament experience. I think we would still have enough quality with a younger squad to qualify for Brazil, but expectations should be measured and given that IMHO the WC groups are easier than the Euros, last 16/8 would be a good for new squad.

The Germans introduced younger players in 2006 - and expectations were low - yet with the home advantage still made the semis - only losing to the Italians in injury time in what was a great match. 2008, 2010, they only go out to Spain who were arguably at their best so no shame there..

Guess it depends on what we want to do. Do we continue to 'play to our strengths' difficult to beat, but never really exceptionally creative or entertaining (it can win you things afterall a la Chelsea) or do we admit that this style is limited given the way the top teams are playing?

Think its also about our general attitude: when it comes down to tournaments, we tend not to care how we play as long as we win. Yes, the name on the trophy is remembered more than the style (Brazil 70 excluded), but the reason why those other nations have consistently been there or thereabouts is that they have adapted and evolved their football, and despite the odd upset, expected in cup competitions, its no surprize that you see countries like Germany, Italy etc dominate semi-finals and finals even if failing at the final hurdle.

I truely beleive we have the talent, in the past we have had attitude issues, but also our style of play in the prem, does IMHO have a greater impact on fatigue come season's end - not helped when you spend a game chasing the ball, by giving it away every time you get it. So how can we realise the potential of the talent? For me it comes back to the Clubs - there needs to be a collective responsibilty from the clubs to support development of more technical skills and freedom to express these skills - not just a club only mentality.

I think in some respects we are a victim of the prem's success. The money attracts top players, at the expense of clubs developing their own creative talent , and this success means there is nothing wrong with it as a 'product', but instead of believing its the best so no need to change, why not recognise that it can still be better - the 'brand' would surely be even more valuable if the national side were in the top 2 or 3 or even WC winners....

[Frank's cousin]

I'd been there before with England, so when watching that Panorama programme I was literally cringing at Campbell's comments. Most locals were decked out in England shirts and the like and were even friendly - which is a rarity in Eastern Europe.

Cheap booze, cheap food and lovely weather. The 3 main factors for a good tournament. The infrastructure wasn't quite there but you can't hold every tournament in Germany, France etc.

To be fair, Campbell was shown film footage and asked to comment - and the film was pretty damning - whilst it appears that the programme made it look far worse than reality (always the case when the worst is condenced into 30minutes), I dont think we shuold suddenly forget they still have a problem over there, especially at club level.

[This Charming Man]

To be fair, Campbell was shown film footage and asked to comment - and the film was pretty damning - whilst it appears that the programme made it look far worse than reality (always the case when the worst is condenced into 30minutes), I dont think we shuold suddenly forget they still have a problem over there, especially at club level.

There is a problem, but nowhere near the magnitude that the documentary implied and to suggest that people could come home in coffins was nothing short of ludicrous. He should've used a bit more common sense and maybe even visited the countries before commenting. There are plenty of Asians, Blacks and Turks living over there, doubt they would stay there if it was that bad.

I could show you footage from Mexico of mass murders and raging gun battles between drug cartels and the Mexican army, a work colleague has just returned from Mexico and had the time of her life there and would go back in a heartbeat.

[Thedelldays]

I'd been there before with England, so when watching that Panorama programme I was literally cringing at Campbell's comments. Most locals were decked out in England shirts and the like and were even friendly - which is a rarity in Eastern Europe.

Cheap booze, cheap food and lovely weather. The 3 main factors for a good tournament. The infrastructure wasn't quite there but you can't hold every tournament in Germany, France etc.

again, lots on radio 5live about this.
when England fans at the Fan parks and getting on the lash, singing the songs and getting the locals to join in etc...many locals loved it and really wanted to be part of it and sing the songs they all hear on telly (from the prem)...loads would just come and watch the england fans just having a laugh.

[Thedelldays]

how desperate are the BBC for a portugal/ronaldo win..?

[Bearsy]

Yeah the bbc is totally gay for Ronaldo. Can see Spain pinching this though definitely, I fancied Portugal a bit when i saw postiga weren't playing but that new guy they've brought in don't seem much betters. We've got better strikers than Portugal! I'd probably swap for their wingers tho...

[Saint J 77]

how desperate are the BBC for a portugal/ronaldo win..?

So true, high pitch voice of the commentator each time they have a break on the Spanish goal and the low pitch voice each time Spain have a chance haha

[Turkish]

So true, high pitch voice of the commentator each time they have a break on the Spanish goal and the low pitch voice each time Spain have a chance haha

And everytime Ronaldo gets a free kick they are desperate for it to go in.

[Bearsy]

Yeah when Ronaldo thudded one over the bar earlier the dumb commentators was still creaming themselves bout the way he was standing and stuff. "Oh the drama! Look how he's standing, if you look closely you can see the gentle silhouette of his penis resting potently against the satin of his shorts, it's poised for action and ready to explode!"

[dubai_phil]

Portugal have a 100% record in pen shoot outs. Spain 50%

Thanks to messrs Souness & Venables for that gem on Al Jism

[Thedelldays]

I do lol at a bunch of English people (bbc) criticising another country and their penalties

[Saint J 77]

Surely not Spain to win the European cup again? I think on tonight's performance the Germans have got a very good chance though.

[alpine_saint]

Spain are sh*t. The tippy-tappy has gone to their f**king heads. Del Bosque isnt even bothering with centre forward.

Germany will bury them alive.

[Thedelldays]

Spain are sh*t. The tippy-tappy has gone to their f**king heads.

Germany will bury them alive.

lol
Which means Germany won't bury them

[Hatch]

Spain are sh*t. The tippy-tappy has gone to their f**king heads. Del Bosque isnt even bothering with centre forward.

Germany will bury them alive.

I agree

[alpine_saint]

lol
Which means Germany won't bury them

We'll see. The way they hammered Greece, I reckon they will sweep aside all in their path.

Spain have developed the footballing equivalent of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

[Lets B Avenue]

We'll see. The way they hammered Greece, I reckon they will sweep aside all in their path.

Spain have developed the footballing equivalent of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Says our Resident Expert.

[1885]

Germany will lose against Italy.
They always do

[alpine_saint]

Says our Resident Expert.

Brilliant

[Jonnyboy]

The Italians loved singing their national anthem!

Most annoying thing in this tournament is the slowness with which they show the replays of incidents. I like it quick ffs.

[Thedelldays]

If you're going to play a containing game don't get outnumbered in midfield. Apparently Rooney should have been picking up Pirlo.See any evidence of that?

even the Germans who are all super duper are struggling to mark Pirlo

italians 2-0 up against Germany and he is yet again pulling the strings

[Jonnyboy]

What a finish! Didnt see this coming.

[Saint J 77]

Should of been 2 nil to Italy then, and now it is lol. What are Germany up to?

[Lighthouse]

He didn't half hit that.

[Colinjb]

Brilliant! Wonderful from Italy, the Germans just cannot cope with the movement on their back line, suicide playing so high.

[Saint J 77]

Maybe England losing to Italy was not so bad after all?

[Thedelldays]

ballotelli is great...

[krissyboy31]

Disappointed he didn't have his "why always me!" t-shirt on.

[trousers]

ballotelli is great...

Anyone still looking forward to our opening game of the season.....?

[trousers]

Disappointed he didn't have his "why always me!" t-shirt on.

You can just see him picking up a silly second yellow next.....

[Micky]

I am watching the game in a packed hotel in Germany. Packed - but errrr earily quiet....!!!!!

[Hatch]

This is just Khedira and Ozil v Italy.. Germans have been rubbish.
The Ted Bates statue is more mobile than Gomez

[Saint J 77]

Jürgen Klinsmann thought Italy handled it on the line, haha. Clutching at straws I think.

[Thedelldays]

Jürgen Klinsmann thought Italy handled it on the line, haha. Clutching at straws I think.

be nice for the arrogant germans to go out.

[Lighthouse]

Ah, the sh*ttest tattoos in Europe are about to be introduced.

[Turkish]

The German fans seem to be singing the Tanadari Lee song nonstop. Yet more evidence of our huge catchment area.

[Sour Mash]

What's this b*****ks with the game being stopped/ball kicked out every time a player decides to go to ground?

[Jonnyboy]

A German goal would be nice (!!), spice things up a bit.

[Saint J 77]

Looks like Italy have got the job done now. Germany look out of ideas.

[ART]

Italy proving just how good the England team were. Hold up your head Hodgeson

[Thedelldays]

Italy will kick themselves if the germans get back into this

[Saint J 77]

Italy will kick themselves if the germans get back into this

Doesn't look like there is any danger of them throwing it away now though does it? Germany looking a bit clueless.

[Thedelldays]

Doesn't look like there is any danger of them throwing it away now though does it? Germany looking a bit clueless.

maybe, holding Italy to a 0-0, no matter how ugly was a better achievement than we thought...and today, proves it is nigh on impossible to simply mark Pirlo out of the game

[Jonnyboy]

I read in the paper that Pirlo's family came to Italy from Romania, at the immigration office they gave them that surname as a joke, it means something like "d!ckhead" in Italian.

[Sour Mash]

Another s**t ref.

[trousers]

England better than Germany. That'll do for me...

[alpine_saint]

Anyone still looking forward to our opening game of the season.....?

Yeah, I was thinking this.

Hopefully Balotelli plays a massive role in beating the Tikka-Takka Tw*ts and is still hungover by the time they play us...

[alpine_saint]

I read in the paper that Pirlo's family came to Italy from Romania, at the immigration office they gave them that surname as a joke, it means something like "d!ckhead" in Italian.

"pirla" is "knob"