Scrap the group games next time

[lardy]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

Would never happen.

Far too much money to be made with this format, albeit under the guise it allows the lesser teams the chance to make a major finals tournament.

Hope we've seen the last of multi-hosts though!

It's not just about money, though, is it? The football hàs been mostly good, and we like watching football.

[Rjk]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

It's a terrible idea for travelling fans. Imagine all that build up, going all the way to another country, and it's just for one game.

The problem is not groups, it's that there are so many games just to eliminate a third of the sides. 24 teams is not a good number for this style of tournament.

It should be 16 or 32 teams. 32 is obviously too much for Europe.

I would agree for the 2016 tournament, but I think it has worked well this time. lots of teams going for it and very few with nothing to play for even up to the last game.

Even Scotland can still qualify.

I actually prefer this one to the usual groups of 4 with 2 to qualify

[lardy]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

Ah, he’s speaking hypothetically

You were speaking hypothetically when you said "if there were no group games"

[BLUETIT]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

You were speaking hypothetically when you said "if there were no group games"

No, I was answering his quote “scrap the group games”

So he/she, not only want to scrap the group games, they want to restructure the whole competition draw

[lardy]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

I would agree for the 2016 tournament, but I think it has worked well this time. lots of teams going for it and very few with nothing to play for even up to the last game.

Even Scotland can still qualify.

I actually prefer this one to the usual groups of 4 with 2 to qualify

Yeah wouldn't really argue with that. I'm not really sure where the OP hatred comes from.

[lardy]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

No, I was answering his quote “scrap the group games”

The whole thread is hypothetical.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

These group games are not living up to expectation. Get 32 teams on the board in a straight knockout, with both teams trying to win. Italy made 8 changes against Wales which devalues the competition. Last night , Belgium were already through, and were trying to walk the ball in, and be too clever. For us fans in our armchairs , it makes you want to change channels. As for kicking off at the same time, the authorities must be very naive if they think the teams don’t know what’s going on in the other group game. It’s about time this competition had a new format in future.

If that had been the case in 2016, we wouldn't have had that memorable night against Belgium.

[Des Parrot]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

Yes to 32 teams but no to scrapping the group stage. I think this format of 4 losers (3rd place) out of 6 qualifying for the knock outs is dreadful. Why didn't they just go for 8 groups of 4 with the top 2 going through?

And for anyone saying there aren't enough quality teams to stretch to 32, do we honestly believe the likes of Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Bulgaria, Rumania etc. are any worse than North Macedonia, Hungary and Russia?

Wot he said. They could give it to 4 countries, 2 groups per country, q/f each, s/f & final to 3 different countries, better than this crap format

[surge]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

Regarding the Nations League teams:

Hungary - very credible draw with France and could survive the group of death
Slovakia - currently 2nd best in their group with one game to go
Scotland - credible draw with England and possibility of going through as second place if results go their way
North Macedonia - have added to the competition though outclassed by Netherlands

They all got through on merit whereas Republic of Ireland and Serbia had equal chance and fluffed their lines.

It's 7 games to win a tournament folks. Are we honestly saying 7 games is too much? Only thing you should be considering to change that is drop the third-place qualification route into tournament knock-out.

[MacAdder]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

It's not just about money, though, is it? The football hàs been mostly good, and we like watching football.

Not disagreeing, I doubt we'd get too far with the original proposal.

I just think that the minnows getting a chance to perform on the big stage was a very convenient poser to pocket more cash.

I think it's good to get multi-nations rubbing shoulders with each other, just in the same country.

[City123]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

I've thoroughly enjoyed the group stages thus far

[willo1927]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

These group games are not living up to expectation. Get 32 teams on the board in a straight knockout, with both teams trying to win. Italy made 8 changes against Wales which devalues the competition. Last night , Belgium were already through, and were trying to walk the ball in, and be too clever. For us fans in our armchairs , it makes you want to change channels. As for kicking off at the same time, the authorities must be very naive if they think the teams don’t know what’s going on in the other group game. It’s about time this competition had a new format in future.

Both teams trying to win?
Or both playing for pens?
Also it would be harsh to ask 16 teams to travel to wherever for 1 game.
Think I'll stick with the current system as it gives you the chance to see some new teams i.e. North Macedonia in a final tournament

[Rjk]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

well the group games have been largely excellent, especially today's.
the format has worked brilliantly and I wasn't a fan of it in 2016.
in group F anyone could have finished in pretty much any position almost until the final whistle.
hard luck for the Hungarians

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

15 of the top ranked teams in the last 16.

Using FIFA rankings.


1 Belgium

2 France

4 England

5 Portugal

6 Spain

7 Italy

10 Denmark

12 Germany

13 Switzerland

14 Croatia

16 Netherlands

17 Wales

18 Sweden

21 Poland (Not Qualified)

23 Austria

24 Ukraine

[surge]

Re: Scrap the group games next time

15 of the top ranked teams in the last 16.

Using FIFA rankings.


1 Belgium

2 France

4 England

5 Portugal

6 Spain

7 Italy

10 Denmark

12 Germany

13 Switzerland

14 Croatia

16 Netherlands

17 Wales

18 Sweden

21 Poland (Not Qualified)

23 Austria

24 Ukraine

Drink it in. We've come a long way to become one of the 16 best in Europe at this current moment.

We're also heading for transition period at some point in near'ish future, where fans will need to be patient, so even more reason to enjoy.