Football - Euro 2020 Championship

sev112

I think opening ceremonies bring the local community and those who are not sport people into a joined up celebration of sport and the country.  I think they are good things as long as they keep speeches to a minimum .  Otherwise it can just be another athletics etc meet - it contributes in part to making it special 

EricTheWeary

Ooh roast Turkey! 

DrCornelius

Hard to believe that was Italy , not just because of the white kit but the tempo was fantastic. I love watching teams that play like that

guitars4you

DrCornelius said:

Hard to believe that was Italy , not just because of the white kit but the tempo was fantastic. I love watching teams that play like that

There was a bit of a buzz pre-tournament about this 'attacking' Italian side - many say they won't win, but they could go along way and both surprise/entertain - We've not seen a good Italian side for a while, so this side almost has slipped in thru' the back door

ewal

I think England are going to win it. They are great. They'll cruise out their group. There are no banana skins. The EPL is the finest league in the universe bar none. It's coming home (even though football actually started in another country). Enjoy the tournament lads ;-)

Springywheel

Despite playing a more traditional 'catanaccio' style, italy have put in some absolutely blinding footballing performances in the past - when needed. Most of the time it was a case of 'go 1-0 up and defend', but when it was tactically called for, those teams could easily up the ante and play with style, so it's not anything new. That semi final vs germany in 06 was a thing of beauty, from both sides. Never seen a better game of football. The final was absolutely dire, but it called for different 'negative' tactics, which of course got the job done (with the help of zidane's head). For the neutral though, it's good to see them adopt a more modern flair as their 'default' style of play though. 

proggy

ewal said:

I think England are going to win it. They are great. They'll cruise out their group. There are no banana skins. The EPL is the finest league in the universe bar none. It's coming home (even though football actually started in another country). Enjoy the tournament lads ;-)

What other country?

ewal

At the the risk of derailing the thread, although clearly it's one of these things like who invented television or the light bulb.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/48831909

ewal

Anyway Scotland have a great group of players coming through at long last. Don't think we've found the answer up front yet. In actual fact, I think we have, it's just that he's not in the squad. But defence and midfield are looking great. And Steve Clarke is as good as they come.

Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson, Billy Gilmour, Stuart Armstrong, David Turnbull - I just hope they get the chance and show us the obvious potential they have. I don't really care about the result.

Also brilliant to see three ex-Thistle players in the squad. And if only Liam Lindsay had progressed the way I thought he would - he looked the best of that particular group of boys at the time.

proggy

ewal said:

At the the risk of derailing the thread, although clearly it's one of these things like who invented television or the light bulb.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/48831909

Not exactly convincing.

ewal

It's history. It's debatable. Let's just leave it at that. As I said, England are great. They're going to romp through to the semis at least. Enjoy!

DesVegas

Is good to see Wales using the flat back 9 to hold onto their draw again the Swiss 

munckee

If you take points from teams better than you then you have a reasonable chance of qualifying. 

UnclePsychosis

ewal said:

Anyway Scotland have a great group of players coming through at long last. Don't think we've found the answer up front yet. In actual fact, I think we have, it's just that he's not in the squad. But defence and midfield are looking great. And Steve Clarke is as good as they come.

Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson, Billy Gilmour, Stuart Armstrong, David Turnbull - I just hope they get the chance and show us the obvious potential they have. I don't really care about the result.

Also brilliant to see three ex-Thistle players in the squad. And if only Liam Lindsay had progressed the way I thought he would - he looked the best of that particular group of boys at the time.

I'm still in shock that Nisbet seems to have got some actual talent. A long way from the guy we punted. 

fob

Eriksen just collapsing with no one near him was chilling. I just pray he pulls through. Really puts the game into perspective.

guitars4you

fob said:

Eriksen just collapsing with no one near him was just chilling. I just pray he pulls through. Really puts the game into perspective.

best wishes to CE - Hope he pulls through

Chuffola

That was devastating. Can't believe BBC stayed with the video from the stadium so long - showing his wife and close ups of the CPR.  Really awful stuff to watch. 

scrumhalf

Horrible to see, just awful. Please, please pull through. 

Heartfeltdawn

fob said:

Eriksen just collapsing with no one near him was chilling. I just pray he pulls through. Really puts the game into perspective.

It's the few seconds before his collapse that's hit me, the way he walked. I've seen that before close up during a sports match and it's brought back a lot of immensely sad memories. The guy in question survived. I hope the same happens here for his and for the sake of his family.  

Kilgore

Truly awful thing to see.