I agree with you about Roy. But four points will almost certainly be enough to advance as one of the four best 3rd place teams, even if England loses to Slovakia.Revisiting England's game/group, I'm not sure they get through. Slovakia is good and Hamsik can be the difference for them. I think that Slovakia and Wales can be the two teams that advance from that group. I'm not sold on Roy having the ability to make the moves to make a difference. Oh hey, you got lucky on a blatant offsidesl. Doesn't really disguise the fact that you couldn't unlock Wales until after the fact.
The pitch seemed to be in utter disarray, but Wales should have adjusted and switched their studs. Ramsey, who I thought actually had a very good game, was slipping all over the place. How are you not making those kinds of adjustments? Regardless, I think that he looked a lot better than the game against Slovakia.
In the end, let's be honest. Wales really doesn't have the guns. I think that you would have liked to see them try to play football, but an open game and England is creating more chances. England had guys that could score on the bench and the two they brought on at half did just that. Wales' lack of a good center forward really hurt them. I think that the turning point was the Ledley injury, to be honest. I thought he brought a lot of emotional leadership and grit in midfield. Regardless, Wales can still advance and they shouldn't lose sight of that just because of this result.
You probably have a point, but this is CLASSIC Italian "fuckthisshit"ball.I think the problem is the new 24 team format, with 4 out of 6 3rd place teams qualifying for the knockout stage, there isn't as much emphasis on needing to win as opposed to avoiding defeat. If they wanted to expand from 16 they should've just gone to 32. (Of course, that would make qualifying a joke, but it would've at least given Netherlands a chance to make it).
Edit: Alternatively, they could've kept it as the top 2 qualify for knockout stage, giving us 12 teams, and then give the 4 teams with the best group record a bye into the quarter finals. This would give teams a double incentive to try to win group games, because firstly they have to finish in the top 2, but secondly they want to try to be one of the top 4 teams overall so they get a bye.
This would be my prefered option, but byes seem to be anathema to world football.Edit: Alternatively, they could've kept it as the top 2 qualify for knockout stage, giving us 12 teams, and then give the 4 teams with the best group record a bye into the quarter finals. This would give teams a double incentive to try to win group games, because firstly they have to finish in the top 2, but secondly they want to try to be one of the top 4 teams overall so they get a bye.
I wonder if the reason they didn't go to 32 is because then it would be the same size as the world cup. I wonder if the world cup expands whether the euros would expand to 32? Of course, 16 was the perfect size for the euros but that ship has sailed.This discussion is why I'm loathe to the 24-team 6x4 setup. Just add some "play-in" games and keep a tidy format. It's not rocket science. If they wanted more than 16 teams so badly, just go to 32 and make the classification easier, not the tourney.
I see it exactly the other way around. With one win, you´re almost in the next round. With not-losing, it doesn´t help much. Even two draws doesn´t help to advance. You need a win. With three points and a +/- of 0 or better, you could be one of the four qualifying third place finishers. But you´re right, the games often start out flat and finish better.I think the problem is the new 24 team format, with 4 out of 6 3rd place teams qualifying for the knockout stage, there isn't as much emphasis on needing to win as opposed to avoiding defeat. If they wanted to expand from 16 they should've just gone to 32. (Of course, that would make qualifying a joke, but it would've at least given Netherlands a chance to make it).
Edit: Alternatively, they could've kept it as the top 2 qualify for knockout stage, giving us 12 teams, and then give the 4 teams with the best group record a bye into the quarter finals. This would give teams a double incentive to try to win group games, because firstly they have to finish in the top 2, but secondly they want to try to be one of the top 4 teams overall so they get a bye.
When they get going they are like a buzzsaw. Rakitic is so goodCroatia is really good.
And what is it with European's refusal to stop people bringing flares into stadiums? You'd think that given that somebody tried to blow a bunch of people up at the Stade de France a few months ago, they would have a little more security.What the hell is it with Europeans' obsession with flares, and throwing them onto the field?
Someone who did that at a US sporting event would barely see the light of day for the next decade.
Well, according to the Euro rules, they're not allowed, but they don't seem to be trying too hard to keep them out.And what is it with European's refusal to stop people bringing flares into stadiums? You'd think that given that somebody tried to blow a bunch of people up at the Stade de France a few months ago, they would have a little more security.
Till the Czech Republic scoresWait how much et do we have?
From ESPN, it seems there is a group of 'fans' who want to embarrass the Croatian FA and force resignations and they have said they will cause trouble at Croatia matches until this happens.Sure seems like the Croatian team is pretty done with the bullshit of their fans from the post-game comments.
UEFA discipline actions opened for each of their Euro matches so far. They have had tons of actions this qualifying campaign, it's pretty ridiculous.
Yeah, Bilic broke some of it down:From ESPN, it seems there is a group of 'fans' who want to embarrass the Croatian FA and force resignations and they have said they will cause trouble at Croatia matches until this happens.
Does this make it more or less likely that Belgium fires Wilmots at halftime?Eden Hazard, that bastion of consistent effort and leadership at Chelsea, is captaining Belgium?