Topic: EURO 2016? (Read 14723 times)

drsteelhammer · « **on:** June 07, 2016, 12:16:57 pm »

So who else is excited for the EURO Championship starting this Friday?

Also, what are the teams to look out for? Besides the usual suspects like Germany, Spain and Italy? Switzerland and Belgium are probably the teams that may cause some upsets, although that has been said for several years now, maybe they'll finally show up. I've heard that La Grande Nation is supposed to be a secret favourite aswell, after getting rid of all their morally dubiuos players.

Besides rooting for my home country and waiting for Wales to beat England, I'm really looking forward to seeing Iceland play after their great qualifier. Speaking of Iceland, shoutout to my Dutch neighbours, I hope you will have an enjoyable Championship aswell from the couch

So what are your thoughts? Other teams you'll be lookng forward to seeing?

Watno · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2016, 12:28:40 pm »

I'm not interested in Tennis at all.

Joseph2302 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2016, 12:29:46 pm »

I for one am happy that Scotland got the Independence they wanted- the rest of Britain is going to the Euros, and they're not.

Calamitas · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2016, 12:57:52 pm »

I am a great soccer (and even greater football) fan and very excited for the world cup. Though coming from Germany I'm supporting Belgium and England this summer since I don't like the German team at all.

wachsmuth · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2016, 01:02:16 pm »

Seeing Russia-Slovakia live

Tables · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2016, 01:08:41 pm »

I recently filled in a bracket at work for the Euros, using a refined statistical model to work out the scores. Since I've already submitted, I'll share the model here: Each team scores =floor(4.5*rand()^2,1) goals.

As a result of this analysis, I'm really excited to see Switzerland win in the final against Russia.

ipofanes · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2016, 01:09:44 pm »

Sad that they diluted the tournament to 24 participants. I am not hailing the glory days of a EURO 1976 with four participants, but in the 16 teams format every game counted from the get-go. At least they could have left four groups with two teams advancing each, would have been just one more round to play.

Jack Rudd · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2016, 07:54:53 pm »

Is anyone here interested in Euro 2016 Twatball? Like fantasy football, but you try to pick players who will get sent off, concede penalties, score own goals and so on.

My Twatball team:

Petr Čech Czech Republic (0)

Juanfran Spain (0) Bruno Alves Portugal (0) Ricardo Carvalho Portugal (0) Pepe Portugal (0)

Mesut Özil Germany (0) Dele Alli England (0) Raheem Sterling England (0) Daniele De Rossi Italy (0)

Mario Gomez Germany (0) Antoine Griezmann France (0)

Infthitbox · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2016, 10:28:51 pm »

Quote from: Jack Rudd on June 07, 2016, 07:54:53 pm

Is anyone here interested in Euro 2016 Twatball? Like fantasy football, but you try to pick players who will get sent off, concede penalties, score own goals and so on.

My Twatball team:

Petr Čech Czech Republic (0)

Juanfran Spain (0) Bruno Alves Portugal (0) Ricardo Carvalho Portugal (0) Pepe Portugal (0)

Mesut Özil Germany (0) Dele Alli England (0) Raheem Sterling England (0) Daniele De Rossi Italy (0)

Mario Gomez Germany (0) Antoine Griezmann France (0)

Unless you get points for moping around, not sure why you have Özil on your team; he isn't particularly likely to attempt a tackle, let alone concede a penalty or get sent off.

As for the actual tournament, I'm interested to see if some of the bigger nations can shake off some of the poor form they've had in the friendlies. That said, France has looked absolutely fantastic every time I've seen them recently. If they can avoid host pressure (still laughing at Brazil two years later), they're my pick. My dark horse pick? Croatia or Poland.

Davio · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2016, 02:59:10 am »

The Netherlands isn't participating, that's sad. We're among 3 or 4 countries in Europe who didn't make it; among San Marino and Andorra I think.

So who to root for now?

Belgium has a fine squad (although dearly missing Kompany), but always choke in big tournaments.
Germany always has a strong showing in tournaments.
Spain seems a little over the top, I'm not a fan of either Costa or Torres.
France has a good team with Pogba and Griezmann, certainly a candidate.

Surprises might come from Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, all with some of the best squads they've had in years.

ipofanes · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2016, 03:38:27 am »

Quote from: Davio on June 08, 2016, 02:59:10 am

So who to root for now?

Belgium has a fine squad (although dearly missing Kompany), but always choke in big tournaments.
Germany always has a strong showing in tournaments.
Spain seems a little over the top, I'm not a fan of either Costa or Torres.
France has a good team with Pogba and Griezmann, certainly a candidate.

Surprises might come from Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, all with some of the best squads they've had in years.

I am not getting it. Are you suggesting to root for the team which has best chances to win?

That being said, I think you left out England. I think no team from the British Isles will do better.

Accatitippi · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2016, 03:45:05 am »

Quote from: Davio on June 08, 2016, 02:59:10 am

The Netherlands isn't participating, that's sad. We're among 3 or 4 countries in Europe who didn't make it; among San Marino and Andorra I think.

Afaik, (and I don't follow football all that much) Greece and Finland didn't make it either, which sounds a bit better than being just among San Marino and Andorra.

I'll be patriotically rooting for Italy, as usual. Norway didn't make it (also as usual), and I'd root for Sweden if we weren't competing for second place in the same group.

(of course, getting 1st and 2nd would be great, but that doesn't account for Belgium)

Davio · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2016, 04:59:14 am »

Quote from: ipofanes on June 08, 2016, 03:38:27 am

Quote from: Davio on June 08, 2016, 02:59:10 am
So who to root for now?

Belgium has a fine squad (although dearly missing Kompany), but always choke in big tournaments.
Germany always has a strong showing in tournaments.
Spain seems a little over the top, I'm not a fan of either Costa or Torres.
France has a good team with Pogba and Griezmann, certainly a candidate.

Surprises might come from Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, all with some of the best squads they've had in years.

I am not getting it. Are you suggesting to root for the team which has best chances to win?

That being said, I think you left out England. I think no team from the British Isles will do better.

England is a bit of a dark horse, they have a nice squad, but also suffered some Euro and WC dramas in the past.

I think I will root for Belgium, with this generation it's basically now or never for them.

Jack Rudd · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2016, 06:24:30 am »

Quote from: Infthitbox on June 07, 2016, 10:28:51 pm

Quote from: Jack Rudd on June 07, 2016, 07:54:53 pm
Is anyone here interested in Euro 2016 Twatball? Like fantasy football, but you try to pick players who will get sent off, concede penalties, score own goals and so on.

My Twatball team:

Petr Čech Czech Republic (0)

Juanfran Spain (0) Bruno Alves Portugal (0) Ricardo Carvalho Portugal (0) Pepe Portugal (0)

Mesut Özil Germany (0) Dele Alli England (0) Raheem Sterling England (0) Daniele De Rossi Italy (0)

Mario Gomez Germany (0) Antoine Griezmann France (0)

Unless you get points for moping around, not sure why you have Özil on your team; he isn't particularly likely to attempt a tackle, let alone concede a penalty or get sent off.

He sometimes gets booked, and he frequently gets substituted.

drsteelhammer · « **Reply #14 on:** June 08, 2016, 06:26:58 am »

Croatia has been thoroughly disappointing during the last world cup, I don't know if they've improved since. It would be fun to see them play well again. Their group looks like one of the two toughest ones, next to the group with Belgium and Italy.

Davio · « **Reply #15 on:** June 08, 2016, 08:25:09 am »

Well, they have Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic and trusty Srna. Pretty good squad.

Infthitbox · « **Reply #16 on:** June 08, 2016, 08:28:18 am »

Indeed, they have one of the top midfields in the tournament, and a striker capable of taking chances.

2.71828..... · « **Reply #17 on:** June 10, 2016, 03:51:04 pm »

A good half for Romania. France has been the better side, and I get the feeling the are really close to breaking through, but Romania would love a draw here

2.71828..... · « **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2016, 04:50:14 pm »

Oh man. That second goal from France.

AdrianHealey · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2016, 07:45:28 am »

The love for Belgium is nice, but we'll never get anywhere with the current coach.

Kirian · « **Reply #20 on:** June 11, 2016, 11:33:10 am »

My mother and her partner were visiting Versailles yesterday. They and about 20 other cars were broken into, everything going stolen. Yay for police being at the the soccer matches and not anywhere else.

Hugovj · « **Reply #21 on:** June 11, 2016, 12:02:11 pm »

Go Wales, Albania, Belgium, Ireland and Iceland

Also, the Netherlands not being there, really does make the tournament a bit more boring, but on the good side: no chauvinism this summer, and no horrible supermarket commercials with "juichpakken" (lit. cheering suits).

Accatitippi · « **Reply #22 on:** June 11, 2016, 12:27:32 pm »

Quote from: Kirian on June 11, 2016, 11:33:10 am

My mother and her partner were visiting Versailles yesterday. They and about 20 other cars were broken into, everything going stolen. Yay for police being at the the soccer matches and not anywhere else.

That sucks. I hope they didn't lose anything of value.

drsteelhammer · « **Reply #23 on:** June 11, 2016, 01:54:26 pm »

Bales makes it through, I would have liked to see a tie after seeing the second half.

drsteelhammer · « **Reply #24 on:** June 11, 2016, 04:28:43 pm »

Nice freekicks today!

Qvist · « **Reply #25 on:** June 11, 2016, 04:47:48 pm »

That was quite a surprise!

Accatitippi · « **Reply #26 on:** June 13, 2016, 05:06:02 pm »

Whoa, what a tense match. I really didn't like all the tactical faults on our (Italian) side, though. You do what you need to do (others will disagree), but needing that many is a testament to how much Belgium dominated most of the second half.

wachsmuth · « **Reply #27 on:** June 13, 2016, 05:50:40 pm »

Just watched Belgium-Italy with a lot of Belgians at a sports bar. The greatest applause was when Lukaku got substituted off the field. Not much of a party to be had

ipofanes · « **Reply #28 on:** June 14, 2016, 03:17:42 am »

In German TV they are shitting their pants on how we are prone to meet our nemesis as early as the quarter finals.

Davio · « **Reply #29 on:** June 14, 2016, 04:05:03 am »

Quote from: Qvist on June 11, 2016, 04:47:48 pm

That was quite a surprise!

Not so much, Belgium and tournaments don't go that well together.
Italy and tournaments on the other hand...

Accatitippi · « **Reply #30 on:** June 14, 2016, 04:53:04 am »

Quote from: Davio on June 14, 2016, 04:05:03 am

Quote from: Qvist on June 11, 2016, 04:47:48 pm
That was quite a surprise!
Not so much, Belgium and tournaments don't go that well together.
Italy and tournaments on the other hand...

I don't know much about football, and I've seen remarks such as this around, and well they conform to empirical evidence. Any idea about why?

ipofanes · « **Reply #31 on:** June 14, 2016, 05:00:26 am »

It has something to do with the quality of the domestic league. There is not much time to shape a national team wrt tactics, and with a strong domestic league you can choose a tactic most common at home. Netherlands are (at least up to 2010) a bit of an exception which I link to most players playing abroad still remember the Dutch school through their time at youth academies.

That being said, I am surprised at the performance of Croatia, who should face a similar problem as Belgium with a bunch of very talented players scattered around national leagues.

Qvist · « **Reply #32 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:15:52 am »

Quote from: Davio on June 14, 2016, 04:05:03 am

Quote from: Qvist on June 11, 2016, 04:47:48 pm
That was quite a surprise!
Not so much, Belgium and tournaments don't go that well together.
Italy and tournaments on the other hand...

I wrote that after the 1-1 from Russia against England. The tie came definitely surprising.

ipofanes · « **Reply #33 on:** June 14, 2016, 07:46:34 am »

Russia/USSR have quite a record in EM tournaments, but as of recently I wouldn't say they have a happy relation with tournaments. EURO 2008 was last time they did realy well.

Davio · « **Reply #34 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:07:23 am »

Well, they had a great generation which is pretty much gone: Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko, Zhirkov, etc.
Most players play in the domestic league, which isn't of the same quality as Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga.

Jack Rudd · « **Reply #35 on:** June 14, 2016, 11:00:27 am »

Quote from: ipofanes on June 14, 2016, 07:46:34 am

Russia/USSR have quite a record in EM tournaments, but as of recently I wouldn't say they have a happy relation with tournaments. EURO 2008 was last time they did realy well.

Yup. Russia, as opposed to the USSR, competed in a major tournament for the first time in 1994... and have had group stage exits in 1994, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2012 and 2014. 2008's the only time they've broken that run.

(The rest of the ex-Soviet teams have had even less success. This is only Ukraine's third appearance in a major tournament, and of the rest of the sides, only Latvia have made it to a Euros, and none of them have made it to a World Cup.)

Infthitbox · « **Reply #36 on:** June 14, 2016, 11:06:56 am »

Russia is seriously hamstrung by missing Dzagoev and Denisov to injury. Dzagoev is particular can actually take a pass out from his defenders and move up the field with it, instead of relying on Ignashevich and Berezutsky playing long diagonals out. I seriously doubt they're going anywhere in this tournament.

Italy though, that's exactly what I expected. Good luck scoring on Juventus, not many club sides figured it out either.

2.71828..... · « **Reply #37 on:** June 14, 2016, 11:59:29 am »

Is Russia exporting a new breed of football hooligan? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36515283

Thoughts? Especially on the potential ban for Russia if another serious altercation occurs. Will UEFA actually follow through with their threats of something happens? How will this affect the 2018 world cup? I mean, could what happens with Russia possibly affect that? I mean, definitely might make a few people think twice before traveling to Russia for the 2018 world cup

drsteelhammer · « **Reply #38 on:** June 14, 2016, 03:28:09 pm »

I just hope that the Russian hooligans calm down, it would be a shame if the team got eliminiated like that.

Also, Austria losing to Hungary?? Also a sweet goal by Stieber. I don't know if anybody expected that, now group F gets really, really interesting. Rooting for Iceland now..

LaLight · « **Reply #39 on:** June 14, 2016, 04:35:39 pm »

I am very ashamed of my country (which is Russia). I'm not a football fan, but anyway it would be too stupid to be eliminated because of some russian dumb fans

Hugovj · « **Reply #40 on:** June 14, 2016, 04:54:40 pm »

Whoop whoop, go Iceland

Accatitippi · « **Reply #41 on:** June 14, 2016, 04:56:28 pm »

Quote from: LaLight on June 14, 2016, 04:35:39 pm

I am very ashamed of my country (which is Russia). I'm not a football fan, but anyway it would be too stupid to be eliminated because of some russian dumb fans

I have felt the same about Italian hooligans before.

ipofanes · « **Reply #42 on:** June 15, 2016, 03:57:41 am »

Quote from: 2.71828..... on June 14, 2016, 11:59:29 am

Is Russia exporting a new breed of football hooligan? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36515283

Hooligans sans alcohol, and Russians to boot? Now they are leaving the level playing field!

Davio · « **Reply #43 on:** June 15, 2016, 04:09:10 am »

Quote from: drsteelhammer on June 14, 2016, 03:28:09 pm

I just hope that the Russian hooligans calm down, it would be a shame if the team got eliminiated like that.

Also, Austria losing to Hungary?? Also a sweet goal by Stieber. I don't know if anybody expected that, now group F gets really, really interesting. Rooting for Iceland now..

Group F is wide open!

Ronaldo is such a baby, crying about Iceland's defense game, boohoo!
At the Euros, only results matter, ask Greece.

wachsmuth · « **Reply #44 on:** June 15, 2016, 01:49:52 pm »

Just saw Slovakia-Russia in Lille. Entertaining game, no issues at all in the stadium other than a Russian fan lighting a flare. The Slovakian fans are apparently not prone to hooliganism, but still provided great atmosphere.

Entertaining game, the Slovakians played well. Can't say I'm too sad to see the Russians in trouble results-wise, considering some of their fans.

ipofanes · « **Reply #45 on:** June 16, 2016, 03:14:35 am »

Quote from: Davio on June 15, 2016, 04:09:10 am

At the Euros, only results matter, ask Greece.

Though I have much more vivid memories of the NED - CZR group qualifier than of the final. The debuts of Rooney, Robben, Zlatan and C. Ronaldo (back then never without initial) left a more lasting impression than Kharisteas.

drsteelhammer · « **Reply #46 on:** June 17, 2016, 04:53:49 am »

Got to witness the first 0-0 outside in pouring rain, only with a T-shirt and with my fellow German fans neither chanting nor otherwise having a good time $:-\$

Davio · « **Reply #47 on:** June 17, 2016, 05:24:05 am »

Quote from: drsteelhammer on June 17, 2016, 04:53:49 am

Got to witness the first 0-0 outside in pouring rain, only with a T-shirt and with my fellow German fans neither chanting nor otherwise having a good time $:-\$

I watched the game from my own couch, I didn't have a good time. The game was tense, but not very high quality, lots of mistakes from both sides. Couple of good chances for Milik, but his foot-eye coordination was severely off.

Germany is really missing a good striker; Götze is a decent player, but more of a no. 10 than no. 9. Gomez just doesn't reach the same level as during Euro 2012, although he has been performing quite well at Besiktas. Besides missing a good striker, Germany has really weak left and right backs, they do miss Lahm it seems.

Qvist · « **Reply #48 on:** June 18, 2016, 04:55:13 pm »

What a game. Portugal had like a billion possibilities and they couldn't score a goal.

McGarnacle · « **Reply #49 on:** June 18, 2016, 04:59:29 pm »

I'm a huge soccer fan. I hope Poland wins (since I'm from there) but I doubt it, especially with Lewandowski's recent form. I think France will win.

drsteelhammer · « **Reply #50 on:** June 22, 2016, 05:46:31 am »

So, the group phase is almost over, who would have guessed that my joke about the Welsh beating England almost became true? Surpassing them is even more suprising

Also I'm happy that Croatia won, now we get to see Spain vs Italy this weekend already! Overall, no top team has been living up to their expectations in my opinion, I wouldn't be too surprised to see some upsets in the Top 16 and Quarterfinals. My totally unbiased guess who's winning the cup would still be Germany, they'd need to start scoring very soon, though.

Rooting for Iceland today again

But most importantly, as one of the four best third placed teams, Will Grigg is still on fire for the Northern Irish!

Jack Rudd · « **Reply #51 on:** June 22, 2016, 06:11:01 pm »

The last sixteen draw:

Switzerland v Poland
Croatia v Portugal

Wales v Northern Ireland
Hungary v Belgium

--------

Germany v Slovakia
Italy v Spain

France v Republic of Ireland
England v Iceland

I... have no idea what's going to happen there. I'd guess the winner will probably come from the bottom half of the draw, but it's anyone's guess who.

DG · « **Reply #52 on:** June 22, 2016, 06:53:31 pm »

I'm guessing the Slovaks aren't impressed by their draw to the final.

Davio · « **Reply #53 on:** June 23, 2016, 02:15:40 am »

Croatia actually has a decent shot with this draw.

2.71828..... · « **Reply #54 on:** June 23, 2016, 02:19:10 am »

I just want to see Portugal lose in the first knockout round. I really don't like the whole expanding the tournament and having some third place teams advance. When you don't make it in the top 2 for your group, you should be out.

ipofanes · « **Reply #55 on:** June 23, 2016, 03:38:04 am »

I can only think of disadvantages for this format. Too many teams who have advanced after round 2. Teams not knowing whether they have advanced at the end of their last match, which means that e.g. the Turkish fans couldn't give their team a proper farewell. The inefficiency to eliminate 8 teams in 36 matches and then eliminate another 15 teams in 15 matches.

drsteelhammer · « **Reply #56 on:** June 27, 2016, 04:53:52 pm »

It happened!!!

SCSN · « **Reply #57 on:** June 27, 2016, 05:14:11 pm »

Brexit 2 - 0 Remain

McGarnacle · « **Reply #58 on:** June 27, 2016, 06:17:28 pm »

Quote from: SCSN on June 27, 2016, 05:14:11 pm

Brexit 2 - 0 Bremain

FTFY

Infthitbox · « **Reply #59 on:** June 27, 2016, 08:48:39 pm »

England were straight trash.

Anyway, now that I've got a larger sample size, I'm going with the winner of Germany/italy to beat Belgium in the final. France doesn't quite look like its got itself figured out to get past Germany or Italy in a semi, while Portugal can count itself very, very lucky to still be around. Poland is in with a shout on that side of the bracket was well. As much as I'd enjoy Wales or Iceland doing more damage, I really can't see it happening.

Jack Rudd · « **Reply #60 on:** June 28, 2016, 06:51:15 am »

Quote from: Infthitbox on June 27, 2016, 08:48:39 pm

As much as I'd enjoy Wales or Iceland doing more damage, I really can't see it happening.

It's unlikely, but you never know - Wales did play Belgium in the qualifiers, and the results were one draw and one Wales win, so they may be able to draw inspiration from that.

Qvist · « **Reply #61 on:** July 01, 2016, 04:58:12 pm »

Let's all wait for the final Wales-Iceland!

2.71828..... · « **Reply #62 on:** July 01, 2016, 07:37:00 pm »

Quote from: Qvist on July 01, 2016, 04:58:12 pm

Let's all wait for the final Wales-Iceland!

Yes!

I do think Wales have a great chance against Portugal. I think Iceland will find it a little more difficult to get to the final

drsteelhammer · « **Reply #63 on:** July 02, 2016, 09:24:33 am »

I'm pretty sad that Poland lost to Portugal, I enjoyed their play a lot more than Portugals. Also, Portugal did not win a single game after 90minutes yet... Wales better beat them or I'm sad.

Qvist · « **Reply #64 on:** July 02, 2016, 05:50:16 pm »

This was tense.

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Author Topic: EURO 2016? (Read 14723 times)