Euro 2012

[Otta]

" Actually was Walcott who got the highest rating

with 9. Gerrard & Welbeck received the same

score of 8."

I did say "of the starters".

"STEVEN GERRARD (CENTRE MIDFIELD) - 8

Guy's view: Star man as regards those

who started.

[Undisputedtruth]

Yes Otta you did. I was simply making a point that Theo got the highest score.

[Alan Medic]

I'm surprised you pay any attention to such unrefined scoring UDT. Is Theo your friend or are you finally coming out as an Arsenal fan?

[Undisputedtruth]

Neither AM, next silly question please?

[maxxi]

what a turnup - my dark horses scrape thru' after all (they must have been the trojan kind) and Russia out after that start. England should take note - go for the draw at your peril.

[red devil]

Looks like Germany v Greece v The Euro Part II...

[Alan Medic]

It's a shame they are changing the Euros to having 24 teams in the Finals. 16 works well. With 24 you may as well let everyone in and get rid of qualification. Quality not quantity should count but in this case it must be money that counts.

[Otta]

First I'd heard about that. Yep, will make it a lesser tournament.

[Undisputedtruth]

Possibly, but it also gives countries like Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland a chance to play in a major tournament. Although there will be more games I think it will be more of selective viewing for the fans.

[red devil]

They could combine it with the Eurovision Song Contest...songs sung by the players and/or fans

[saleem]

Has Alan Hansen been varnished?

[Undisputedtruth]

Germany and Spain just scraping through to the next round. I think England, with their variation in attack and defensive barreir, has a great chance in winning the tournament.

[Jah Lush]

Blimey, you're sticking your neck out there UDT. I wish I shared your confidence. We should beat Ukraine though even if they are playing at home but I suspect there will be some dark forces against us. FIFA hate us. What worries me is some dodgy refereeing decisions going against us.

[Undisputedtruth]

I know what you mean about decisions. Croatia and Denmark should have been given penalties. Denmark conceded a late goal because their left back was caught ball watching. Schoolboy stuff really.

While Germany definitely have the best squad in the tournament, they have makeshift right backs and do not seem to handle crosses particularly well. Spain will find it difficult to score against a better side. You would expect Italy to score a hatful of goals against the Irish.

[Loz]

Undisputedtruth Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Germany and Spain just scraping through to the next round. I think England, with their variation

> in attack and defensive barreir, has a great chance in winning the tournament.

Pffft. He he. Chuckle.

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/roflmao.gif

HAW HAW HAW!!

[Undisputedtruth]

Loz, I'm not saying England are a world class side. They're not. But England have some very good players who could cause endless problems for the opposition. For example, I can't see many central defenders handling the aerial threat by Andy Carroll. I can't see many left backs matching the pace of Theo Walcott. The Ox is an exciting talent and is capable of giving a difficult time for any defender in the world. And of course, Wayne Rooney is a genuine world class talent.

Having a defensive barrier of two rows of fours makes England very difficult to beat. It'll be interesting to see how France gets on with Sweden. Blanc has already been reported as not underestimating them for today's game.

Anyway, I can't remember an England side having so many different attacking options. Can you, Loz?

[ratty]

Ukraine 2-1 England

[MrBen]

Undisputedtruth Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Possibly, but it also gives countries like

> Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland a chance to

> play in a major tournament. Although there will be

> more games I think it will be more of selective

> viewing for the fans.

Ahem. Scotland have qualified for 9 out of the last 15 world cup finals (since 1950)on merit. If we're too crap to qualify for anything since Italia '98 then tough - it's a good standard to aim to return to no? We certainly don't need charity and I'd prefer to keep the bar high.

[MrBen]

England 3 - 1 Ukraine

[Mick Mac]

Undisputedtruth Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Germany and Spain just scraping through to the

> next round. I think England, with their variation

> in attack and defensive barreir, has a great

> chance in winning the tournament.

Variation is a great word to use in this context. Unpredictability might be another.

[El Pibe]

My first reaction to UDT was cloud-cuckoo land, but then that's what I thought about razor's assertions about a frankly crap Chelsea side having nothing to fear from Barcelona.

We have no Drogba, Rooney on his day I guess but he seems to suffer that same cowing fear when he dons the lions that has afflicted too many England players in the past! Let's hope he can be inspired by the young mob. They may not be playing especially well, but they are at least playing poisitively.

It wasn't much fun watching Spain last night, too many opportunities to bury that game went spurned. We're still the best side in the tournament, juuuust, but I can see most quarter finalists able to undo them on a good day. Well, maybe not England ;-P

Anyway, should be a good game tonight, come on England!!

[Otta]

We're still the best side in the tournament, juuuust,

You think?

[*Bob*]

Come on, Tim!

etc

[Alan Medic]

As previously mentioned there were very leaky when it came to bearded middle aged defenders and shots from outside the area. Apart from that it a great barrier.

[Chippy Minton]

Ukraine tonight, Spain in the quarters, Portugal in the semis, Germany in the final = easy.

It's got our name on it!