UEFA euro 2016

[Sir Adrian]

Come on Greece...1 point in three(3) matches...I guess that happens when Ranieri picks players based on their team and not on their performance

Ranieri is a good coach. He should not be sacked until after 08 September 2015.

Albania should lose the match 3-0 since it was an Albanian supporter who caused it to be interrupted.

[Stavros_Kalmpou]

Ranieri is a good coach. He should not be sacked until after 08 September 2015.

I don't doubt his quality, but Greece, especially in football, is really corupt, controlled by the central system(Olympiakos, without them we would have won at least a continental title)

[Sir Adrian]

I don't doubt his quality, but Greece, especially in football, is really corupt, controlled by the central system(Olympiakos, without them we would have won at least a continental title)

If it's any consolation Romania is in the same boat. All out goals were scored due to the talent of two players, marica and Sanmartean. If they're out, we're out.

[Basil II the B.S]

On topic sort of, Spain U.21 is out from the Euro/Olympic qualifiers. Big deal since they are the reigning champions and they are historically the most successful U.21 team. The next gen. not that golden?

[Sir Adrian]

I wouldn't put much stock in youth tournaments. For example Portugal used to pretty much pwn everyone during the 1990s but never won anything, losing their only final to a fairly mediocre team in 2004. On the opposite spectrum Romania always sucked at youth competitions but the exact same team was at one point the best in Europe.
Youth tournaments are more about building the character and mentality needed to win medals when you go senior than actually winning anything.

[Knight of Heaven]

On topic sort of, Spain U.21 is out from the Euro/Olympic qualifiers. Big deal since they are the reigning champions and they are historically the most successful U.21 team. The next gen. not that golden?

France was eliminated too by sweden.

I wouldn't put much stock in youth tournaments. For example Portugal used to pretty much pwn everyone during the 1990s but never won anything, losing their only final to a fairly mediocre team in 2004.

Of course the contrary argument can be made as well. Spain did great in the youth competitions, and then was world, and european champions, Same thing for germany, and those like Portugal that never won anything, its undenyable that thanks to the work done with youth teams in 90s, Portugal won at least the place of respect that holds today ( before the 90s, everything was very mediocre, we rarely went to any final stages of any competition). The golden team in the 90s were actualy world champions, against Brazil... the Brazil of Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo etc. They might have not won anything later on, but no doubt put Portugal in the world stage, a place that still continues with its ups and downs. So i wouldnt downplay the work and results done in youth teams and competitions.
Titles or not, are a good measure in order to gauge the future of national teams.
That said, i dont think Spain or France, or even Netherlands ( wich were all eliminated of the U21 euro qualifying playofs), are going to lose power overal in the future in their senior teams, but no doubt there will be other national teams being also players on the same level, and grow even more. Germany probably will continue an hegemony of sorts, looking at their results in U19 and U21, of late.

[lolIsuck]

I have split off the Serbia - Albania incident and moved it to the Thema Devia. If you wish to discuss this incident that is the place to do it. Lets keep this about football, guys.

[Pinarius]

Serbia awarded win over Albania but docked three points by Uefa
• Serbia must play next two qualifiers behind closed doors
• Both countries fined €100,000 after abandoned match
• Albanian FA calls Uefa’s decision ‘a travesty’

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...uefa-sanctions

[Acco]

Greece with a solid 0-1 home loss to the Faroes.

[Gatsby]

A surprisingly entertaining performance from Scotland. Not only does Strachan get us results we are actually playing attractive football - Maloneys 1-2 with Brown and then that beautiful goal for example.

If we waste less chances I think we can scrape points off Poland and Germany, beat the ROI again, and obviously work up a decent GD with Gibraltar, and voila we've finally got into a major tournament.

[Basil II the B.S]

Greece with a solid 0-1 home loss to the Faroes.

Impressive.

[Sir Adrian]

We should place bets on how long until Ranieri gets the sack

Northern Ireland tried to play like Italy/typical balkan team. Only problem is they're neither.

[Basil II the B.S]

I'd say within the week if Greece wants to salvage anything.

[Cold_Mac]

A surprisingly entertaining performance from Scotland. Not only does Strachan get us results we are actually playing attractive football - Maloneys 1-2 with Brown and then that beautiful goal for example.

If we waste less chances I think we can scrape points off Poland and Germany, beat the ROI again, and obviously work up a decent GD with Gibraltar, and voila we've finally got into a major tournament.

O'Neills setup was howling. One-dimensional, thuggish and static. Glad the match was won by a singular piece of superb skill.

Strachan certainly improved our side. You can clearly see the goal was a product of training ground-maneuver, skill & setup from players who struggled so badly under Levein. Huge improvement.

[Mary The Quene]

Belgian line up

---------------------Courtois--------------------------

Vanden Borre-Alderweireld-Lombaerts-Verthongen

-----------------------Witsel----------------------------

----------------------------Fellaini----------------------

----------------------De Bruyne-------------------------

Chadli------------------Origi------------------------Hazard

[Basil II the B.S]

Where are Lukaku and Mirallas?

[Ferdiad]

Wilmots out

[General Nuisance esq]

6 wins on the trot now
although the last one was against a minor team
mind you qualification is one thing .............

[lolIsuck]

And getting out of the group stage a second...

[Ferdiad]

I 4-1 love to be Irish.
WE HAMMERED THE OUT OF THE YANKS IF YOU MISSED IT HON THE BOYS IN GREEN