Round of 16

[matty1878]

this ref

 

[Martin Alvito]

This ref is a random yellow card generator.

 

[jazzy]

The performance by this ref has been absolutely bizarre

 

[carolinablue232]

Well if that’s not obstruction…When did pushing a player with no chance or intent to play the ball become legal?

 

[jazzy]

looks to be a holding MF here

Spot on Matty. Someone better tell Zat that Belgium aren't playing Onana as a sitter.

 

[TheBigIguana]

The logical extension of your argument is we have ALL of Europe here at the tournament. There's not much difference between Scotland and some of the sides that didn't qualify such as Sweden, Greece, Ireland, Norway, etc. I mean, we could, but would you really want to watch that? I suppose some people would love it. UEFA will DEFINITELY increase it to 32. They'll use the Haaland argument. Each to their own.

But basically, my argument is that if you have a good qualification competition where only 7 or 15 qualify, then you have already ensured that the best sides have made the finals tournament. And then, with the right format, you get higher quality sides playing against each other. That, in theory, should lead to higher-quality matches and a better spectacle.

I have enjoyed this tournament as a diversion from life - but the matches have largely been deeply ordinary. Not one game yet will be replayed in years to come as a "classic match". In the group stages of previous touraments we had all-time classics like Czech Republic-Holland 2004, Spain-Yugoslavia 2000, and Holland-France 2008. But then there were fewer sides and only two teams going through from each group instead of the farcical three. That, actually, is a better argument for 32 teams than what I've suggested above...

You’ve named one match from every tournament. I think it’s largely nostalgia this.

 

[Runub]

This is going all the way to penalties

 

[Drico]

You’ve named one match from every tournament. I think it’s largely nostalgia this.

Portugal-England, 2000
Romania-England, 2000
Slovenia-Serbia, 2000

France-England 2004
Portugal-Spain 2004

Turkey-Czech Republic 2008
Holland-Italy 2008

All great group matches.

Nostalgia? Yes, to a point. But Euro 2000 was easily one of the best two Euros ever (three if you include 1976 - four teams, three classic matches). That's uncontested by most observers.

 

[matty1878]

This is going all the way to penalties

i think the ref will interfere

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

Like I said, Belgian moment gone now

 

[matty1878]

Like I said, Belgian moment gone now

they’ve just went close

 

[Papa Shango]

Portugal-England, 2000
Romania-England, 2000
Slovenia-Serbia, 2000

France-England 2004
Portugal-Spain 2004

Turkey-Czech Republic 2008
Holland-Italy 2008

All great group matches.

Nostalgia? Yes, to a point. But Euro 2000 was easily one of the best two Euros ever (three if you include 1976 - four teams, three classic matches). That's uncontested by most observers.

What's the third one?

 

[Nymzee]

Lucky

 

[tsubaki]

in a bit, Belgium

 

[I can't even]

Yeeeesssssss