EUROS FINAL. FT: ENGLAND 1 - 2 SPAIN

[Dembe]

Really??? Don't think I will bother to stay up for extra time. Am I the only one who doesn't rate Mbappe....or Kroos for that matter.

You don't know your arse from your elbow. You and bluetit ought to start up a club.

[BLUETIT]

I'm aware that most people who use this board have been watching football for years and many still yearn for days of yore when the game was more physical, when there was a target man up front and teams tried to get the ball forward quickly most of the time, even if it usually meant the ball came straight back. Those days have gone and I think people need to realise that.

This competition started off with the supposed “lesser” teams, going for the jugular and there were some fantastic games and goals and it revitalised my love of football.

Since the knockout stages, I’m back in my “do I really wanna watch this”

A 600 passes team, where 450 of them are between the back 4 and goalie, doesn’t do anything for me I’m sorry

[chrisp_1927]

Anyone else think that watching the Portugal/France game last night was like watching 10 v 11?
As good as we all know Ronaldo has been, he was absolutely useless last night (as he has been all tournament)
Can’t remember him contributing anything of note to the game.
There’s something sad about watching a once great sportsman dying on his arse.like a boxer who takes on one fight too many.
It’s difficult, as Portugal may have won last night if they’d played a different striker from the start, but as country and squad, dropping Ronaldo was always gonna be the big issue.
We would have felt the same if it were Bale in that position.
To be a winner, you have to have a ruthless streak, as well as the talent. I feel England will go down the same route as Portugal, with the Southgate issue.
They have the squad, the draw and the climate to take this tournament by the scruff of the neck, but in Southgate, they have a manager who is pathetically weak and scared of his own shadow.
My feeling is that if Portugal and England had been a bit braver, one of them could have lifted this trophy. I know England are still in it, but I’ll be amazed if they win it with Southgate in charge.

I think he could probably still do a job for 45/60 minutes. I put the blame firmly on Martinez myself, appears he's telling Ronaldo to conserve his energy so he can play the full 90/120 minutes. Poor management by a poor manager.

[William Treseder]

I'm aware that most people who use this board have been watching football for years and many still yearn for days of yore when the game was more physical, when there was a target man up front and teams tried to get the ball forward quickly most of the time, even if it usually meant the ball came straight back. Those days have gone and I think people need to realise that.

This competition started off with the supposed “lesser” teams, going for the jugular and there were some fantastic games and goals and it revitalised my love of football.

Since the knockout stages, I’m back in my “do I really wanna watch this”

A 600 passes team, where 450 of them are between the back 4 and goalie, doesn’t do anything for me I’m sorry

One thing I find mystifying about today’s game, compared to the game of yrs gone by, is the injuries.
I am of an age to remember when the game was more physical (Norman Hunter, Graham Souness, Vinnie Jones etc), and I can’t remember there being half as many players out through injury as there are in today’s game.
Maybe it’s my memory playing tricks, but I seem to recall you could virtually name the line ups of teams week in week out.
Rotating teams didn’t happen much back then either, although teams do seem to play more games now. Mind you, only the teams involved in Europe and the play offs.

[bobh]

One thing I find mystifying about today’s game, compared to the game of yrs gone by, is the injuries.
I am of an age to remember when the game was more physical (Norman Hunter, Graham Souness, Vinnie Jones etc), and I can’t remember there being half as many players out through injury as there are in today’s game.
Maybe it’s my memory playing tricks, but I seem to recall you could virtually name the line ups of teams week in week out.
Rotating teams didn’t happen much back then either, although teams do seem to play more games now. Mind you, only the teams involved in Europe and the play offs.

Your memory is not playing tricks, unless mine is too!
The game was more physical, the ball was heavier, the boots were heavier, and yet, as you say, the same team played virually every game - with only one sub (no sub at all if you go back far enough).
And there was no "players are tired after two game in 4 days" nonsense. Christmas derbies, for instance, used to be played on Christmas day, with the reverse fixture on boxing day!

[chrisp_1927]

Your memory is not playing tricks, unless mine is too!
The game was more physical, the ball was heavier, the boots were heavier, and yet, as you say, the same team played virually every game - with only one sub (no sub at all if you go back far enough).
And there was no "players are tired after two game in 4 days" nonsense. Christmas derbies, for instance, used to be played on Christmas day, with the reverse fixture on boxing day!

Heavy boots and heavy pitches would have kept collisions a bit slower I suppose. Similar in horse racing I believe, summer racing is more dangerous for the horses. Less falls, but the ones that do occur are harder and faster.

[Dembe]

Your memory is not playing tricks, unless mine is too!
The game was more physical, the ball was heavier, the boots were heavier, and yet, as you say, the same team played virually every game - with only one sub (no sub at all if you go back far enough).
And there was no "players are tired after two game in 4 days" nonsense. Christmas derbies, for instance, used to be played on Christmas day, with the reverse fixture on boxing day!

I know lads that play amateur league and work full time jobs, suppose thats where the standard of play comes into it.

[Dembe]

So Southgate proves how stubborn he is.

3-4-3 so a change of formation but the personnel pretty much the same just rejigged.

They'll win this purely based on the fact they cant continue to be shit, but id love to see them beat. He had a chance to make changes today. What a stubborn prick

[BLUETIT]

The Swiss are going to get caught, playing this out from the back shite

[Citizen's Nephew]

The Swiss are going to get caught, playing this out from the back shite

That's what I've been thinking. They look way too nonchalant. But then it's neutralised by England's corner going back to Pickford followed by a free kick doing the same. But it's a good game so far.

[Citizen's Nephew]

Swiss need to do something about Saka.

[ToTaL ITK]

not exactly entertaining

[Citizen's Nephew]

No Swiss pundit on the BBC. Neutral...my ar*se.

[splott parker]

No Swiss pundit on the BBC. Neutral...my ar*se.

Should have someone to Tell the Swiss side of things I s’pose.

[Hilts]

I really dont get why Palmer and Gordon aren't being given more game time.

Dreadful game.

[ToTaL ITK]

I hope they knock each other out

[the other bob wilson]

Oh dear.

[Wales-Bales]

YYYYyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!

[ToTaL ITK]

really fun now tho

[the other bob wilson]

No.

[Wales-Bales]

NNNNnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[William Treseder]

So Southgate proves how stubborn he is.

3-4-3 so a change of formation but the personnel pretty much the same just rejigged.

They'll win this purely based on the fact they cant continue to be shit, but id love to see them beat. He had a chance to make changes today. What a stubborn prick

I agree. He is either stupid, which I doubt, or very stubborn. This game has been crying out for Gordon and Watkins. Something a bit different and direct.

[ToTaL ITK]

i'm glad its not my team

[the other bob wilson]

Switzerland finishing strongly, what an effort by Shaqiri.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Switzerland finishing strongly, what an effort by Shaqiri.

England's luck still holding.