Euro2020 Knock Out Rounds

[dead_soft]

Here's a thought: is winning the Euros ugly even winning the Euros at all? For example, remember when Greece won it playing like Pulis' Stoke? Sure, it means something to the fans of whichever nation wins it but does it go down as a timeless victory?

Of course, it's England that's got me thinking about this. I saw the news that Mount, Grealish and Foden could (I'm not sure how reliable David Ornstein is) all be benched and I thought to myself that Southgate is hell bent on shithouseing himself to victory. I'm probably sounding like a massive purist here but if England win the Euros in a shithouse manner, I feel like it wouldn't mean as much to me.

The best way to win anything is by upsetting every purist along the way.

 

[EverTheOptimist]

Here's a thought: is winning the Euros ugly even winning the Euros at all? For example, remember when Greece won it playing like Pulis' Stoke? Sure, it means something to the fans of whichever nation wins it but does it go down as a timeless victory?

Of course, it's England that's got me thinking about this. I saw the news that Mount, Grealish and Foden could (I'm not sure how reliable David Ornstein is) all be benched and I thought to myself that Southgate is hell bent on shithouseing himself to victory. I'm probably sounding like a massive purist here but if England win the Euros in a shithouse manner, I feel like it wouldn't mean as much to me.

Greece were awful to watch.

But it was great to see a not famous footballing country winning it that year, quite a bit of romanticism about it, punching above their weight etc.

What a summer of sports that was for Greece, winning Euro 2004 and Athens hosting the Olympics.

Halcyon days as the ancient Greeks would say.

 

[Billy Dean]

Here's a thought: is winning the Euros ugly even winning the Euros at all? For example, remember when Greece won it playing like Pulis' Stoke? Sure, it means something to the fans of whichever nation wins it but does it go down as a timeless victory?

Of course, it's England that's got me thinking about this. I saw the news that Mount, Grealish and Foden could (I'm not sure how reliable David Ornstein is) all be benched and I thought to myself that Southgate is hell bent on shithouseing himself to victory. I'm probably sounding like a massive purist here but if England win the Euros in a shithouse manner, I feel like it wouldn't mean as much to me.

Depends on your own personal outlook I guess. Some people just want to win in whatever way possible. Others want to do it only a certain way. There's no right or wrong. Greece fans no doubt still cherish 2004. But also the most talked-about international team of the 1970s was the Dutch side that won nothing. Likewise the Brazil side of the 80s.

 

[Billy Dean]

England's biggest danger if they win tonight is underestimating quarter finalists and semi finalist.
I have not seen a team that England are not capable of beating , likewise there will not be a team left that on there day could not beat England.
It's all about who wants it the most , which team has the fire in there bellies .
Unfortunately England tend to fall short when it comes to guts and determination.

I's actually say it's nous and skill that England tend to lack rather than guts. They just look gutless when they're being out thought or out played.

 

[paultheblue]

I's actually say it's nous and skill that England tend to lack rather than guts. They just look gutless when they're being out thought or out played.

I think to many of the English players are to use to smoke being blown up there arses people telling them they are world class when they clearly are not.

 

[EverTheOptimist]

England will playing a last 16, QF and semi and final all at once tonight.

Huge pressure on them, home advantage and easy gateway to the final.

Southgate will resort to norm, set up defensive and hope to nick a set piece goal.

The team sheet that has been leaked shows what a coward of a coach he is if that is the team tonight, if England go out he deserves pelters and questions asked if he is the guy to lead this amazing generation of England talent the next 5-6 years.

 

[Cool_Blue]

Great shame for MmmBop and France but the Swiss were awesome.

Great shame? Not really, I nearly laughed my kok off at Pogba & co going out, the very definition of show ponies

 

[Cool_Blue]

Greece were awful to watch.

But it was great to see a not famous footballing country winning it that year, quite a bit of romanticism about it, punching above their weight etc.

What a summer of sports that was for Greece, winning Euro 2004 and Athens hosting the Olympics.

Halcyon days as the ancient Greeks would say.

We were in the islands during that tournament. Absolute mayhem, will never forget a fire engine tearing down Naxos harbour with about 20 guys on top of it waving flags lol

 

[Drico]

Here's a thought: is winning the Euros ugly even winning the Euros at all? For example, remember when Greece won it playing like Pulis' Stoke? Sure, it means something to the fans of whichever nation wins it but does it go down as a timeless victory?

Of course, it's England that's got me thinking about this. I saw the news that Mount, Grealish and Foden could (I'm not sure how reliable David Ornstein is) all be benched and I thought to myself that Southgate is hell bent on shithouseing himself to victory. I'm probably sounding like a massive purist here but if England win the Euros in a shithouse manner, I feel like it wouldn't mean as much to me.

Greece's victory will always be remembered. People in the bigger countries might demean it, but Europe is mainly composed of numerous small states. Every football fan from Latvia to Belgium, from Albania to Finland will remember Greece, and Denmark, and Czechoslovakia and Portugal... Small countries rarely have the luxury of "playing with style". They make do with what they've got and they maximise it.

Besides, the success of Greece in 2004 - which was a fairytale - was as much down to the arrogant failure of bigger nations, particularly France. If England win the Euros, the vast majority of people will not care about the style they won it in. Let's face it, you won the World Cup in 66 thanks to a dodgy linesman and some very dubious refereeing against Portugal and Argentina. And you moved the semi-final out of Goodison - where Portugal had played - to Wembley, where they hadn't, at the last minute. Is this remembered in England? Nope. But it is abroad...

 

[miami]

Stating the obvious here, but tonight is a watershed moment for southgate . High pressure game, up against a dangerous side, but a side that will concede chances if you are brave enough to press and attack them. The history of the fixture. It's a massive yardstick in measuring whether there has been significant progress under his charge.

 

[Billy Dean]

Gosens a doubt apparently. I could imagine the Germans go to a back 4 in that case, while England switch to a back 3 to combat what we thought they would do.

 

[Deleted member 48881]

Yeah, that 2004 tourney...Greeks were like parking the bus, 90 minutes, 120 minutes and score from one tiny chance. How time flies! Was 11 at the time, but remember it well.

 

[Paris]

Like most England fans I’m just pleased to have made it out of the group,winning it was indeed a bonus as we hadn’t won our group in a international tournament since 2012. Now, most of us are just hoping for a good performance. Germany are clearly the favourites, they’ve got the players with the most experience. Provided we’re not embarrassed I’ll be happy.

 

[coollino]

If England go out and don't score, you'd hope that's it for Southgate.

 

[Kantareller]

Darn, I was fancying seeing Italy - Belgium in the final but I checked the schedule now and they're already facing eachother.

Il Bobby versus El Bobby already, one of those will be in the final. The last finalist I have no idea because they're all underwhelming but probably Germany.