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EURO 2016 Superthread (EngLOL)


tiger_rick

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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

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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.

 

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.

 

France to win it though I think...

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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.

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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.

 

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.

 

You're right about Iceland, really consistent side who could surprise a lot of people.

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A glittering victory.

 

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.

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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.

 

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.

 

You're right about Iceland, really consistent side who could surprise a lot of people.

Yep.  Mr Exciting James Milner..

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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.

 

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.

 

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?

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Scoring James Milner is in good form for Liverpool!

 

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.

 

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.

 

Be a nice change of pace from the wrestling holiday.

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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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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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.

 

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.

 

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.

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