Euro 2012

[????]

Yup agree. I thought that Hodgson was poor tactically (in terms of chnaging them ie flexibility) in the game yesterday as opposed to before. Didn't help that Rooney was dogshite.

[Undisputedtruth]

Rooney puzzled me. In the last world cup he wanted to play deep but in the last game he was the further man forward. Rooney was the ideal man to trouble Pirlo. Was Hodgson really poor tactically or was it a case of England players lacking a football brain? You could lead the horse to the water...

[Chippy Minton]

In the four games we played, every other team could claim, or at least make a case for the idea, that they were as good as or better than England. And these were three teams that are very, very average themselevs. Low expectations or not - it's been another poor tournament for England.

After the shocking world cup defeat, I still thought we needed to retain the old guard of Gerrard, Lampard, Terry et al as at the time there was simply no one coming through to replace them. However, they now have to go - build a team around a solid spine of youngsters - Hart, Jones, Wilshire with Rooney up front and supported by Walcott and the Ox on wings.

If Hodgeson was the "looking to the long term" choice as manager he needs to be brave enough to make these players the new guard whilst knowing that we'll get the occasional spanking whilst trying to qualify for Brazil.

[Loz]

Much as I hate to say nice things about the England football team, with that squad and with a manager so recently appointed, getting to the quarters was a pretty good result.

[Jah Lush]

Absolutely right Loz. I didn't think we'd make it out of the group stages when the tournament begun so they did better than I expected them to.

[????]

Very much looking forward to this one - I *quite* fancy Portugal's chances

[maxxi]

Iniesta a bit touchy over the 'boring' tag and Ronaldo still trying to prove he's better than Messi, I fancy Portugal too but I've been wrong before... B)

[????]

...in that case I won't be betting

[maxxi]

You sure? Spain are pretty much evens or slight odds-on everywhere but Portugal are 7/2 which has to be tempting...

[????]

...and Today's prediction maxxi?

[red devil]

*Wait's with anticipated breath*

Note to Maxxi: Bookies close at 6...

[????]

Maxii's the English counterpart to that German octopus

[????]

The German octopus being a master of dynamic and accurate football prediction....maxxii being a *bit* crap

[MrBen]

No worsethan me. All my correct score preds and group positions have been way off and my Paddy Power kitty for Euro 2012 is now down to ?25. Not quite sure what to do with it

*slopes off to betting thread*

[maxxi]

???? Wrote:

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> The German octopus being a master of dynamic and accurate football prediction....maxxii being a *bit* crap

Hey, I got one right... admittedly it was the wrong one... and that Italy had to stoop to using an ex-Iron (always guaranteed to sway a result) to win but still...

???? Wrote:

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> ...and Today's prediction maxxi?

The fact that Portugal lost doesn't mean it wasn't a good bet, well, you know what I mean... anyway today is easy, 3-1 to zer Tchermans (even if Pirlo has a pearler... see what i did there?)... the 'Hammer-effect' of the Italians starting with Diamanti will be lessened as he will have much more time to cock it all up.

I'd go further and say the chances of a red card are quite high with that stroppy French ref in charge

Placer vos Paris, mes amis!

*Stuffs Paddy Power shares deep into sock* B)

[Undisputedtruth]

Maxxi has a long way to beat *Bob*'s 100 per cent record of predicting the result AFTER each game.

Germany fans looking very glum.

[maxxi]

Yes.. well, I've had a word with Herr Schweinsteiger my contact in the German camp and he assures me the current situation is down to an untimely lapse of his side's usual efficiency - in that they forgot to pay the Italians up front.

ETA: and leaving out Il martello felice was a dirty trick...

Above the clatter of studs I could clearly hear "Wo sind der braun envelopen?!" in the background and "Was ist der Italienisch fur 'bung'?" so I am confident the second half will see order restored.

*puts in telephone order for more Paddy Power shares and admires expensive pair of ocelot slippers online*

[????]

Thoroughly enjoying this especially with my pre-tournament bet on Italy. Great game.

[Undisputedtruth]

Can you hear the germans sing?

[????]

A glimmer

[Undisputedtruth]

Not now. It's all over.

[maxxi]

das war kein glimmer, das war ein mirage...

[Jah Lush]

Great game tonight. Super Mario strikes again. Really didn't expect that result. Should be a very interesting final.

[Eddleston]

It was a great surprise to see the german boys play like that... but Neuer was a highlight, are there any rules for him at all? He just changes positions as he pleases. :-0

[Undisputedtruth]

Eddleston Wrote:

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> It was a great surprise to see the german boys

> play like that... but Neuer was a highlight, are

> there any rules for him at all? He just changes

> positions as he pleases. :-0

There have been a few times where Neuer was nearly caught out of position. He also happens to be a very capable penaly taker unlike some of the England players. As for germany playing badly, it wss more of the case where the Italians battled, closing down space and exploiting defensive weaknesses.