Euro2020 Knock Out Rounds

[The T-Dex]

I have been to Swansea, the Welsh are not all angels

As someone who lived there for the last two years I wholeheartedly agree. Never been gladder to move back home to Libpewl.

 

[LinekersLegs]

 

[Barnfred 55]

Oops

Sorry for calling you Jimmy

Ha ha

Deffo had too much sun

 

[Martin Alvito]

Disagree.

The Italy v Spain SF was a cracker and the standout game of the tournamnt between the two best teams.

I didn't rate the Spaniards until the KO phase, but they found a way of playing. They'll be one of the favourites in Qatar.

100% this. That SF was a legitimately great game.

Italy beat Spain, but Enrique found Spain's identity. They were the side asking the questions in the SF. Italy answered those questions well enough to draw, and win the shootout on a bad PK take and Donnarumma.

Spain's two problems are having a healthy Busquets that stays on and getting a bit more end product up top. The first couple of games suggest that Busquets may be irreplaceable.

 

[davek]

Fair enough. Spain were unlucky in the semi final. But for all their good approach play they lack a reliable striker. They struggled in their group until the last game against a very poor Slovakia. They needed extra time against Croatia and penalties against a stubborn but average Swiss team. You can't say on the whole that they were the second best team in the competition because they played well against Italy.

I do think you are correct however in saying they will be one to look out for next year. As too will Italy and England and also France provided they change their manager. Half of their best players didn't even make the squad, and there was little sign of togetherness in the ones that did. That group of players won't win the world cup next year but if they refresh it with the younger players coming through they would be strong favourites.

I also believe the English players played under the handicap of poor tactics from the manager. I do think he's the right man for the job because the players obviously like and trust him, and squad togetherness is probably 40/50% of the battle. But he's too negative. You criticised our two midfielders and called them championship players, and I think that was unfair. They are both very good players at what they do but together they make a poor partnership. One of those 2 in a midfield 3 with 2 of Mount, Grealish or Foden would have given England a completely different look that maybe even you would have been impressed by.

Spain proved to be a class outfit by the end of the tournament. Yes, the best 4 in the SF's earned their place, but only Spain and Italy will feature at the world cup as favourites. The Danes rode a wave of emotion in Euro2020, and England had home advantage for all but one game.

As you say, if the Spaniards come up with a top finisher in the next 18 months they'll be hard to beat. They still would have beaten England in that final more convincingly than Italy managed (and the Italians were dominant in that final).

 

[LinekersLegs]

 

[davek]

100% this. That SF was a legitimately great game.

Italy beat Spain, but Enrique found Spain's identity. They were the side asking the questions in the SF. Italy answered those questions well enough to draw, and win the shootout on a bad PK take and Donnarumma.

Spain's two problems are having a healthy Busquets that stays on and getting a bit more end product up top. The first couple of games suggest that Busquets may be irreplaceable.

Spain got almost as much out of this tournamant as Italy. The Italians may have won the trophy, but Spain look like they found a system that merely needs fine tuning, when Italy might find it difficult if Chiellini and Bonucci are struggling to stay a partnership in 18 months time.

 

[MikeH72]

Spain got almost as much out of this tournamant as Italy. The Italians may have won the trophy, but Spain look like they found a system that merely needs fine tuning, when Italy might struggle if Chiellini and Bonucci are struggling to stay a partnership in 18 months time.

Spain would’ve battered Italy if they had a centre forward worth anything.

 

[davek]

Spain would’ve battered Italy if they had a centre forward worth anything.

I thought Gerard Moreno might have found a role as a starting striker as he was knocking them in for Villareal 30 last season. Morata made Werner look like Gerd Muller.

I'm not sure there's any great poachers coming through. They'll probably revert to a false nine and tweak their system in Qatar.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Spain proved to be a class outfit by the end of the tournament. Yes, the best 4 in the SF's earned their place, but only Spain and Italy will feature at the world cup as favourites. The Danes rode a wave of emotion in Euro2020, and England had home advantage for all but one game.

As you say, if the Spaniards come up with a top finisher in the next 18 months they'll be hard to beat. They still would have beaten England in that final more convincingly than Italy managed (and the Italians were dominant in that final).

Spain were hampered by lack of a finisher, but equally England were hampered by negative tactics. Which together made Italy the best team and worthy winners.

Everything else is just opinion and what ifs.

 

[carolinablue232]

Well the ref was later convicted of trying to smuggle heroin into New York so he’s got form.

They had one ref the whole tournament? That’s a new one.

 

[duncs pigeon]

Well said Dom.

 

[Toast]

He’s a good lad isn’t he.
Absolute credit to his family he is.

 

[TheBigIguana]

100% this. That SF was a legitimately great game.

Italy beat Spain, but Enrique found Spain's identity. They were the side asking the questions in the SF. Italy answered those questions well enough to draw, and win the shootout on a bad PK take and Donnarumma.

Spain's two problems are having a healthy Busquets that stays on and getting a bit more end product up top. The first couple of games suggest that Busquets may be irreplaceable.

He's certainly not replaceable by Rodri

 

[ilikecheese]

Spain proved to be a class outfit by the end of the tournament. Yes, the best 4 in the SF's earned their place, but only Spain and Italy will feature at the world cup as favourites. The Danes rode a wave of emotion in Euro2020, and England had home advantage for all but one game.

As you say, if the Spaniards come up with a top finisher in the next 18 months they'll be hard to beat. They still would have beaten England in that final more convincingly than Italy managed (and the Italians were dominant in that final).

For me Spain's real coup was Pedri. Looked like a young Iniesta out there.