Holmes_and_Watson

Detective

Crime

Sweden will be disappointed not to have got a couple in the first half. Netherlands, who lost 2 players through injury and were a little disjointed, came back into it in the second. They got their equaliser, and showed much better movement. I'd say Sweden still looked the most likely to get the winner. But there are a lot of strong sides in the competition, and Netherlands had a chance to nick it too. The refs continue to let the games be physical, but fair. No play acting from the players, who get on with it, and play to the whistle. Great to see.

About time Ralph used some of the links from past jobs. 🙂

Is he a Norwegian striker? 🙂

Tuned in just before Portugal equalised to make it 2-2. The commentator said it had taken them a long time to recover from Switzerland's first half. She said that Portugal had held onto the ball earlier. The Swiss were the physically stronger looking, so you could see why Portugal would struggle. From the bit I saw, Portugal were playing quick passing moves and looked set to get a third. But it just didn't come. They made subs, Jessica Silva who looked most likely looked rightly peeved at going off, and failed to convert even more chances. As with nearly all the games so far, either side can create. The Swiss had a couple of late chances, before a final failed onslaught from Portugal. Lots of highlights in an entertaining draw.

Private

Ship

Sauce

Denmark vs Germany was balanced for the first 10 mins. From there, Germany kept increasing their drive. Denmark were pegged back, and like so many teams trying to pass it out, had no plan to counter Germany's pressing. The ref made it clear early on that some strong challenging was okay. That led to it being a more physical game, than the other ties. It suited Germany who were happy to drive down the middle, and make blocks when they conceded. 4 goals, hitting the wood work 4 times and a disallowed effort too. Some good passing moves from them too, which can be harder to pull off in tournaments.

I was just assuming Rendell would be #1. But this challenges her, as neither will be happy being on the bench.

Hard to tell how good Finland actually are, against a Spain team with over 30 attempts at goal. That makes it sound as though Finland were terrible, but Spain were relentless, with all of their subs creating even more chances.

Spotted Alaeddine Yahia and Bialkowski in the comments.

At 2-0, I was worried it would be a rout. Caught with an always play it out from the back philosophy against excellent pressing attackers. The penalty was easily avoidable as well. But there was a couple of moments, even in that first half when NI looked more capable, when they went more direct. Shoring up the midfield at half time made a difference, and a good reactive header for the goal. There was just an attack or two, when NI might sneak a second. But Norway are a different class and widened the lead again. England might have their work cut out for them. Some NI players grew into the game, so there are positives for them.

Right-back

We have Smallbone, instead of backbone. 🙂

Manger

Play

It made me hesitate to click all the women's football links on the beeb today. 🙂

A sad indictment on the state of our health service, where organ and limb replacements depend on what's in the nearest shop. #prayforrevolution 🙂 #borisout #ignorethelasttag

I'd like him to do well. But any speed he had, didn't translate into him having an impact on all the other things on the pitch. If we keep Mo, and if Aribo turns out not to be blistering, then having a pacey option is no bad thing. But it's a very high wage when we could be getting someone cheaper, and probably more effective, for that option. Besides, it was Ralph making the selection calls last season, and it is now. I'm not sure how the new set up changes things, unless the last lot were sabotaging Walcott's training, regressing him into what we saw. 🙂

Good business being done to strengthen.

If it was a white transit with a 7 on it, it was him. If it had a 9 on it, it was Brazilian Ronaldo. 🙂

Game

Ball