FT: BELGIUM 1 - 2 ITALY.

[goats]

Belgium were the last remaining team who had won their group despite not being a "host nation".

Czechia and Ukraine finished third in their group which means there are technically equal number of third placed teams to second placed teams left with Spain and Denmark still in.

Ukraine were ranked 24th in the world coming into this competition, Czechia ranked 40th. The four other nations are all in FIFA's top 10 with England highest ranked side left in the contest at 3rd - they still haven't played another side ranked in the top 10 in this year's tournament despite 7 (6 if excluding England) of the top 10 being UEFA.

Spain are the team most comparable to England having been a "host nation" and thus far avoided top 10 competition. If Spain make the final they'll have played in four different countries, if Italy do it will be three and if England do it will be just two.

If England and Denmark win then each of the semi-finalists will be a "host nation".

Can you tell that I think being a "host nation" has been a massive advantage?

The set up is a joke, we will never hear the end of it if they do win it. Another victory all on home soil, bar today, hey!

[surge]

The set up is a joke, we will never hear the end of it if they do win it. Another victory all on home soil, bar today, hey!

Only three "host nations" didn't qualify for the knock-outs: Russia (38th in most recent FIFA's World Rankings), Scotland (44th) and Hungary (37th) with each of those appearing in a group with another "host nation" meaning only two of their three games were at home. Only Scotland didn't also have multiple top 10 nations in their group.

Czechia are the only side so far to beat a "host nation" in a knock-out game with Austria and Belgium losing to Italy, Croatia and Switzerland losing to Spain, Germany losing to England and Wales to Denmark.

[Swiss Peter]

Only three "host nations" didn't qualify for the knock-outs: Russia (38th in most recent FIFA's World Rankings), Scotland (44th) and Hungary (37th) with each of those appearing in a group with another "host nation" meaning only two of their three games were at home. Only Scotland didn't also have multiple top 10 nations in their group.

Czechia are the only side so far to beat a "host nation" in a knock-out game with Austria and Belgium losing to Italy, Croatia and Switzerland losing to Spain, Germany losing to England and Wales to Denmark.

Jeeez, all this moaning about the format. Yes, it's crap - but it is what it is. Maybe they should hold the next Euros in somewhere like Uruguay so that all home advantage is removed?

Anyway, I'm now firmly in the 'anyone but Italy' camp.

[City123]

Just saw the classic one where the Italian is pretending to be injured in the box before the first goal, Belgian defenders bemoaning him faking it, they score a few seconds later and low and behold he rises magically off the floor and runs over to celebrate with his teammates…..I hope Spain stuff them

https://youtu.be/h_lCcvQ43WI

A thing of true beauty, should be put in the Louvre

[surge]

Jeeez, all this moaning about the format. Yes, it's crap - but it is what it is. Maybe they should hold the next Euros in somewhere like Uruguay so that all home advantage is removed?

Anyway, I'm now firmly in the 'anyone but Italy' camp.

At the end of the day one of the following will be true about the knock-outs:

I) Czechia are no longer the only non-host nation side to knock out a host nation, or
Ii) Czechia will become the only non-host nation side to knock out a host nations side and have repeated the feat, or
Iii) the semi final will be made up purely of host nation sides.

It's not so much the home advantage which is every tournament but also massive differences in travel. Especially after long season post-covid.

You can't go into a tournament thinking about how you're disadvantaged - you're meant to find ways to win anyway - but it's an important part of the context. If Czechia win today they're probably the team who have handled it best and we can try to learn from them.

[Tuerto]

Got to have a look at Martinez when it comes to Belgium not quite getting there. He's a good coach, but utter shit on the defensive side of things, he also struggles when teams with a bit of quality press higher. Look at the players Belgium have at their disposal, drilled to take teams out and batter them in the final third. Martinez has failed.

[City123]

Got to have a look at Martinez when it comes to Belgium not quite getting there. He's a good coach, but utter shit on the defensive side of things, he also struggles when teams with a bit of quality press higher. Look at the players Belgium have at their disposal, drilled to take teams out and batter them in the final third. Martinez has failed.

Baffles me that a team who's issues are defensive hired a manager whose issues are also defensive. Italy highlighted how poorly coached Belgium were

[surge]

Got to have a look at Martinez when it comes to Belgium not quite getting there. He's a good coach, but utter shit on the defensive side of things, he also struggles when teams with a bit of quality press higher. Look at the players Belgium have at their disposal, drilled to take teams out and batter them in the final third. Martinez has failed.

Unfair to say Belgium’s golden generation failed by not winning a trophy. One: golden relative to what came before in Belgium. Two: talents in different positions peaked at different moments. Three: they’ve never had full backs! A piece on their exit.

A thing I had completely forgotten: who started at right back for Belgium in the World Cup semi final v France? Nacer Chadli.

https://twitter.com/AdamCrafton_/sta...28241579458561

I think you might be coming on too strong there. Didn't the commentators say something like Martinez losing just three competitive games with Belgium?

[City123]

I think you might be coming on too strong there. Didn't the commentators say something like Martinez losing just three competitive games with Belgium?

Those stats can be a little misleading with international managers, particularly of the big countries. A lot of those wins will be against the likes of Cyprus