Paid Members tiger_rick Posted March 28, 2016 Paid Members Posted March 28, 2016 Now the official Panini album has been released, I think we can officially say Euro 2016 is here!  Thought I'd start a thread to discuss stickers, friendlies, squad announcements and how ENGLAND ARE GOING TO WIN IT. Unless we pick Wayne Rooney, then we're fucked.  Chuck in your predictions, etc.  Group A: France, Romania, Albania, Switzerland  No group containing Switzerland will ever capture the imagination. Albania is a fairytale story but it's Albania so it doesn't really register. Romania haven't been interesting since they all dyed their hair in the 1998 World Cup. Although our bitter friends in the UK might have enjoyed them dumping us out of Euro 2000 via Phil Neville's idiocy. France will piss this group and should go far into the tournament. Switzerland to edge Romania for second but Romania to get one of the terrible third place qualifications. We haven't seen this terrible system since USA '94. Should have left it there.  Group B: England, Russia, Wales, Slovakia  This is a good group. The Russians are dull underacheivers but always dangerous. Wales have plenty about them, particularly as a counter-attacking force and Slovakia had a great qualifying campaign. England could do really well in this tournament if momentum starts to carry them but equally, they could easily struggle to qualify if they draw these tight games. I fancy England, Wales and Russia to all beat each other and all progress.  Group C: Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Northern Ireland  Another tough group but one that doesn't quite click again because Ukraine are so utterly boring. The Germans will win the group despite Poland's valiant draw. Brilliant to see Northern Ireland atthe tournament but if they even get a point, they'll have done really well. Poland again have half a really good team but don't have enough to go really far.  Group D: Spain, Czech Rep, Turkey, Croatia  The Turks and Croatia aren't quite the teams they were at the 2002 & 1998 World Cups otherwise this would be a real GROUP OF DEATH. Spain will piss it, obviously, but it's really open otherwise. Croatia look the best bet for second place, they'll be too strong for the other two in their mini group. Their midfield is World Class and Mandzukic is a top striker but defensively, they're not good enough to go all the way.  Group E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Ireland  This is the official GROUP OF DEATH but that's only because Ireland are an unofficial home nation and Zlatan will carry Sweden. Italy will be dangerous because they'll fly under the radar again. Belgium are the interesting story here. Individually, they're as good as anyone in the tournament but they still haven't achieved anything. They're in the position Spain and Argentina have been for the last 3 or 4 major tournaments. Spain obviously spectacularly broke their mould but Argentina never really have. What may worry Belgium is the poor season some of their brilliant individuals like Hazard and Benteke have had plus injures to De Bruyne and Kompany. They do have strength in depth though which might just be where they differ from the last coupe of tourneys.  Group F: Portugal, Iceland, Austria, Hungary  This is the GROUP OF SHRUG. The only good thing about it is that Iceland might get out of it. They're Europe's fairy story. I've been taking note of them for a while. They did brilliantly to make the World Cup qualifying play-offs from Pot 6 and have carried the momentum into the Euro qualifiers. Everyone says this is an easier tournament to qualify for but Iceland and Northern Ireland would have qualified regardless after excellent campaigns. Iceland have built their success on an over-achieving U21 side that they've faithfully developed into the core of the national team. Austria are another side to watch. In David Alaba, they have one of the best five players in Europe and they've built a good core around him. Hungary are here because of the expansion and will be going home in short order. Portugal are jammy bastards who always seem to get a group like this. They won't win it but they might make a semi.  Here's the full schedule I previously posted. 2pm weekday kick offs in RED. 5pm weekday kick offs in BLUE.  FRI 10 June 2016 20:00 - ITV - Group A - France vs. Romania SAT 11 June 2016 14:00 - BBC - Group A - Albania vs. Switzerland SAT 11 June 2016 17:00 - BBC - Group B - Wales vs. Slovakia SAT 11 June 2016 20:00 - ITV - Group B - England vs. Russia SUN 12 June 2016 14:00 - ITV - Group D - Turkey vs. Croatia SUN 12 June 2016 17:00 - BBC - Group C - Poland vs. Northern Ireland SUN 12 June 2016 20:00 - BBC - Group C - Germany vs. Ukraine MON 13 June 2016 14:00 - ITV - Group D - Spain vs. Czech Rep. MON 13 June 2016 17:00 - BBC - Group E - Ireland vs. Sweden MON 13 June 2016 20:00 - BBC - Group E - Belgium vs. Italy TUE 14 June 2016 17:00 - ITV - Group F - Austria vs. Hungary TUE 14 June 2016 20:00 - BBC - Group F - Portugal vs. Iceland WED 15 June 2016 14:00 - BBC - Group B - Russia vs. Slovakia WED 15 June 2016 17:00 - ITV - Group A - Romania vs. Switzerland WED 15 June 2016 20:00 - ITV - Group A - France vs. Albania THU 16 June 2016 14:00 - BBC - Group B - England vs. Wales THU 16 June 2016 17:00 - ITV - Group C - Ukraine vs. Northern Ireland THU 16 June 2016 20:00 - ITV - Group C - Germany vs. Poland FRI 17 June 2016 14:00 - ITV - Group E - Italy vs. Sweden FRI 17 June 2016 17:00 - BBC - Group D - Czech Rep. vs. Croatia FRI 17 June 2016 20:00 - ITV - Group D - Spain vs. Turkey SAT 18 June 2016 14:00 - ITV - Group E - Belgium vs. Ireland SAT 18 June 2016 17:00 - BBC - Group F - Iceland vs. Hungary SAT 18 June 2016 20:00 - BBC - Group F - Portugal vs. Austria SUN 19 June 2016 20:00 - BBC4 - Group A - Romania vs. Albania SUN 19 June 2016 20:00 - BBC - Group A - Switzerland vs. France MON 20 June 2016 20:00 - ITV4 - Group B - Russia vs. Wales MON 20 June 2016 20:00 - ITV - Group B - Slovakia vs. England TUE 21 June 2016 17:00 - BBC - Group C - Northern Ireland vs. Germany TUE 21 June 2016 17:00 - BBC (red) - Group C - Ukraine vs. Poland TUE 21 June 2016 20:00 - ITV - Group D - Croatia vs. Spain TUE 21 June 2016 20:00 - ITV4 - Group D - Czech Rep. vs. Turkey WED 22 June 2016 17:00 - BBC (red) - Group F - Iceland vs. Austria WED 22 June 2016 17:00 - BBC - Group F - Hungary vs. Portugal WED 22 June 2016 20:00 - ITV4 - Group E - Sweden vs. Belgium WED 22 June 2016 20:00 - ITV - Group E - Italy vs. Ireland  SAT 25 June 2016 14:00 RO16 - Switzerland vs. Poland SAT 25 June 2016 17:00 RO16 - Wales vs. Northern Ireland SAT 25 June 2016 20:00 RO16 - Croatia vs. Portugal SUN 26 June 2016 14:00 RO16 - France vs. Ireland SUN 26 June 2016 17:00 RO16 - Germany vs. Slovakia SUN 26 June 2016 20:00 RO16 - Hungary vs. Belgium MON 27 June 2016 17:00 RO16 - Italy vs. Spain MON 27 June 2016 20:00 RO16 - Iceland vs. England  THU 30 June 2016 20:00 QF 1 - Poland vs. Portugal FRI 01 July 2016 20:00 QF 2 - Wales vs. Belgium SAT 02 July 2016 20:00 QF 3 - Germany vs. Italy SUN 03 July 2016 20:00 QF 4 - France vs. Iceland  WED 06 July 2016 20:00 SEMI 1 - Poland/Portugal vs. Wales/Belgium THU 07 July 2016 20:00 SEMI 2 - Germany/Italy vs. France/Iceland  SUN 10 July 2016 20:00 FINAL - Poland/Portugal/Wales/Belgium vs. Germany/Italy/France/Iceland
Paid Members marc2j Posted March 28, 2016 Paid Members Posted March 28, 2016 Proper looking forward to the Euros and even booked a day off for the Wales game. As always, we'll have the mix of media expectation and everyone else saying we'll be proper shit.I don't buy Wales as a force despite Bale. Â I truly believe we should have Rooney on the plane but theres no way he should be starting. Even before the match the other night, he would have been hard pressed to drop Kane or Vardy as they have both been superb. Â France to win it though I think...
Paid Members bAzTNM#1 Posted March 28, 2016 Paid Members Posted March 28, 2016 Aye, Iceland are my picks to do quite well. Everybody still takes the piss out of them and make them out to be the same quality as the Faroe Islands, but they've got their shit together last few years, with a great young team. Definately no pushovers now. Scotland should be looking at what the Icelandic FA are doing.
Members SuperBacon Posted March 28, 2016 Members Posted March 28, 2016 Portugal to go all the way, finally. Must say I am tremendously excited about this. I haven't cares emotionally about the national team for a long time, but enjoy all the Spurs players doing well. Â Hope Belgium do well, and just excited to see some exciting talent on display (Payet, Ousmane Dembele, Pogba, Insigne, Griezmann, Milner) and think we will be treated to a really decent tournament. Â You're right about Iceland, really consistent side who could surprise a lot of people.
Moderators PowerButchi Posted March 28, 2016 Moderators Posted March 28, 2016 ALL ABOARD THE ROBSON-KANU EXPRESS
Paid Members Teedy Kay Posted March 28, 2016 Paid Members Posted March 28, 2016 Butch, what is the general expectation of how Wales will do?
Moderators PowerButchi Posted March 28, 2016 Moderators Posted March 28, 2016 A glittering victory. Â Nah, realistically we're looking at qualifying out of the group. I fully expect us to achieve that with 3 teams going through. Then when you're in the knockouts it's anyone's if you want to use Greece in 04 as an example, especially if we break out more performances like Belgium. But yeah, quarters would be an absolutely wonderful achievement.
Undefeated Steak Posted March 28, 2016 Posted March 28, 2016 May someone explain the 3 teams going through thing, please? I don't get it. Surely 3 teams from each group can't go through? Ta.
Moderators PowerButchi Posted March 28, 2016 Moderators Posted March 28, 2016 Top 2 from all 6 groups, and then the best placed 3rd place sides from 4 groups to make a knockout round of 16. So really, 4 points is probably enough to go through.
handspants Posted March 28, 2016 Posted March 28, 2016 Portugal to go all the way, finally. Must say I am tremendously excited about this. I haven't cares emotionally about the national team for a long time, but enjoy all the Spurs players doing well. Â Hope Belgium do well, and just excited to see some exciting talent on display (Payet, Ousmane Dembele, Pogba, Insigne, Griezmann, Milner) and think we will be treated to a really decent tournament. Â You're right about Iceland, really consistent side who could surprise a lot of people. Yep. Â Mr Exciting James Milner..
Members SuperBacon Posted March 28, 2016 Members Posted March 28, 2016 Â Â Portugal to go all the way, finally. Must say I am tremendously excited about this. I haven't cares emotionally about the national team for a long time, but enjoy all the Spurs players doing well. Â Hope Belgium do well, and just excited to see some exciting talent on display (Payet, Ousmane Dembele, Pogba, Insigne, Griezmann, Milner) and think we will be treated to a really decent tournament. Â You're right about Iceland, really consistent side who could surprise a lot of people. Yep. Mr Exciting James Milner.. You know it was sarcastic right?
Paid Members air_raid Posted March 28, 2016 Paid Members Posted March 28, 2016 Scoring James Milner is in good form for Liverpool! Â I'm out there for a week of it. Few days in Marseilles, few in Lyon. My party has bought some tickets for England/Slovakia but St Etienne is too far from our Marseilles base so they're flogging them on once they get out there (they're doing Le Mans before I head out and join them). Proceeds to go in the ale fund. Â We've got tickets for Portugal v Hungary which I hope isn't a dead rubber for Portugal because I'd be gutted if Cristano was rested. We've also got Poland v Ukraine which I'm hugely looking forward to since I won't know where to look, girl wise, and a second round game which is going to have probably either France or Switzerland vs Germany or Poland. Â Be a nice change of pace from the wrestling holiday.
Paid Members PunkStep Posted March 28, 2016 Paid Members Posted March 28, 2016 I highly doubt Ousmane Dembele will be there SuperBacon, he wasn't called up for this round of friendlies and has only just made his U21 debut. They'll still have one of the youngest squads there, though. Â Really can't pick a winner, I think it'll be wide open. I know Germany have the 'tournament team' tag but they've been unconvincing since the World Cup, losing too many experienced guys to retirement. They could end up doing a Spain if they're not careful. Still obviously one of the favourites to win it. Â France have an exciting young side and the home advantage but this new generation still needs to really 'click'. This tournament could be the right time for this to happen. Spain could be very dangerous- still one of the best squads in the world and they are not considered the favourites to win a major tournament for the first time since 2008. They could definitely win it. Â Italy can find a way to turn it on when least expected and England look far more promising than they did 12 months ago. I don't think Belgium can perform well enough as a team but you never know, they certainly have the talent to win it. Portugal are the very definition of a one man team for me, which is strange because they have some decent players yet for the national side they become complacent and just look to Ronaldo to do everything.
Paid Members Gus Mears Posted March 28, 2016 Paid Members Posted March 28, 2016 I'm really looking forward to some good old jingoistic commentary about German efficiency, the Italians being solid at the back and French nonchalance after their inevitable bust up. Â England to get eliminated in the first knock out round. Probably by Switzerland, or someone else shit who we beat recently in a pointless match. Owl Face to get the heave ho and England to fail to get anyone good before appointing Redknapp on a two year contract. Â I'm on TEAM WALES for this one. Far more interest in them than seeing Rooney waddle around the pitch and Cahill backpedaling into oblivion.
Paid Members Egg Shen Posted March 28, 2016 Paid Members Posted March 28, 2016 Think im in Hellfest the Evening of England/Wales, this is disappointing news.
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