Euro 2024 chat & predictions

[lejackal]

Here we go, the thread you've been waiting for!

Winner:
Runner up:
3rd place:
4th place:
Surprise package:
Biggest flop:
Top Scorer:
Golden Glove:
Random predictions:
One to watch (individual player):

 

[lejackal]

Winner: France
Runner up: Germany
3rd place: Czech Republic
4th place: Netherlands
Surprise package: Czech Republic
Biggest flop: England
Top Scorer: Mbappe
Golden Glove: Neuer
Random predictions: Southgate sacked as England crash out at the group stage
One to watch (individual player): Xavi Simons

 

[weasel]

I havent even looked at the draw. I lose more and more interest in Int football as the years go by. It used to be I would watch most Friendlies, now I couldnt even tell you the last one I saw. Norn Iron being ****, again, is only a small part of the reason, I just find it boring. Both the PL and the CL are now a much higher standard. I don't even mind **** football, I'll happily watch non league stuff, but I dunno what it is Int football just bores me.

Here we go, the thread you've been waiting for!

Winner: France
Runner up: Engerlund (the two best sides in it)
3rd place: Holland, pure guess.
4th place: Portugal
Surprise package: Georgia…if they get a single point
Biggest flop: Ronaldo, hopefully.
Top Scorer: Morata (someone will win 5-0 and some **** striker will bag four of them, he seems like as good a bet as any)
Golden Glove: no clue
Random predictions: Ronaldo to throw a hissy fit when someone dares not to pass to him
One to watch (individual player): There's a guy called Jude Bellingham is might be decent.

 

[lejackal]

I havent even looked at the draw. I lose more and more interest in Int football as the years go by. It used to be I would watch most Friendlies, now I couldnt even tell you the last one I saw. Norn Iron being ****, again, is only a small part of the reason, I just find it boring. Both the PL and the CL are now a much higher standard. I don't even mind **** football, I'll happily watch non league stuff, but I dunno what it is Int football just bores me.

Being 100% honest I'm trying to be interested for my lad. I haven't really given a toot about football beyond Arsenal for quite a while, and the England team (and fans) just annoy me. There's a TK Max opposite my office, I'll probably pop back in and grab one of the random nations shirts they've got in right now

 

[Mini99]

I used to go to a lot of England games when they played at the old Wembley, but as you say it's lost on me now…BUT I can tell you now, but the end of the first group games I will be hooked, it just draws me in.
I haven't seen the draws yet to be able to make any predictions but @lejackal pick for numbers 1 2 & 6 feel about right.

 

[weasel]

I used to go to a lot of England games when they played at the old Wembley, but as you say it's lost on me now…BUT I can tell you now, but the end of the first group games I will be hooked, it just draws me in.
I haven't seen the draws yet to be able to make any predictions but @lejackal pick for numbers 1 2 & 6 feel about right.

It must be nice to watch your country play in multiple major Championships. AND expect to get out of the group.

Sigh.

 

[Mini99]

It must be nice to watch your country play in multiple major Championships. AND expect to get out of the group.

Sigh.

Oh, I never expect England to get out of the group stages, and if they do they will always do it the hard way and have to rely on someone else having to loose.

 

[weasel]

It meant more the fact that England have a (very good chance) of getting out of 90% of the groups they get. My lot have made 1 tournament in my life time (I dont count Spain '82 or Mexico '86 as I was too young to know what was going on) and scraped out of the group in 3rd, which is a nonsense rule but that's another story. The vast majority of major tournaments for me are watched as a neutral. It's not the same. But then I guess if you make them all the novelty value wears off too.

 

[theforceuk]

Since the Euros was expanded to 24 teams it's a given that England get out the group stage, don't forget most 3rd placed teams go through. Southgate has always had this, I would have loved to see him get England out of a group with Portugal, Germany and Romania in like Euro' 2000 when only 2 go through. Or Euro 2004 with France and Croatia!

 

[weasel]

Four groups and top two qualify was a great set up. Now it's pish. Sides play not to lose. That never leads to exciting football. As anyone who has ever seen a game where Jose or Rafa were manager, can confirm.

 

[lejackal]

Four groups and top two qualify was a great set up. Now it's pish. Sides play not to lose. That never leads to exciting football. As anyone who has ever seen a game where Jose or Rafa were manager, can confirm.

At least the new CL format should be more interesting in the group stages (I think)

 

[lejackal]

*Which isn't actually groups, it's a league table and you play 7 other teams, four home and four away (if I've understood it correctly)

 

[theforceuk]

Europa league is the big one.

 

[lejackal]

Chelsea are looking forward to it I'm sure…..oh, wait a second

 

[weasel]

I think the new CL format is awful. The old set up was the best. But remove the seeding, that just made it boring. If you get, Real, City, Bayern and Juve in one group, well you are guaranteed a lot of very good games. And if that also means you get a group of Celtic, Anderlecht, Feyenoord and Spartak Vladikavkaz then so what? Two sides get to qualify who wouldn't normally and the money gets spread round a bit. The novelty value alone would make it more interesting. The set up as was, was as bloody predictable as a politician/footballer being found shagging about.


But UEFA want more games as that means more money and helps head off a super league. Given the Billions they have stashed away in Swiss bank accounts (tax free European Championships every four years etc. all adds up) they could easily double the prize money. Or give the EL and ECL a more even bite of the cake.

 

[theforceuk]

Not sure why I bother, but here we go.

Winner: Germany
Runner up: France
3rd place: Spain
4th place: Hungary
Surprise package: Hungary
Biggest flop: England
Top Scorer: Mbappe
Golden Glove: Neuer
Random predictions: Poland knock England out.
One to watch (individual player): no idea, not Southgate's England that's for sure. I'll guess with Germanys Musiala.

 

[weasel]

@theforceuk Hungary just lost to Ireland!

 

[Cazza]

Mostly happy with the England squad, but don't understand Dunk over Branthwaite and the inclusion of Shaw. Pleased with most of the other omissions- Henderson, Maguire, Maddison, Grealish, Rashford etc. Quite a change for Southgate. None of them have done enough this season and Grealish is a show pony, who just seems to pass sideways/backwards and falls over a lot. Very little end product. Think Gordon and Eze will offer more.

Obviously very pleased Bowen has been picked. He's been brilliant this season, but has also been very good ever since he came to WHU and thoroughly deserves his place imho. Can take people on, run in behind, play on the wing and also does well up front. Great finisher and works his socks off. He played really well against Brazil and Belgium. Really chuffed for him.

 

[theforceuk]

@theforceuk Hungary just lost to Ireland!

Jesus they must be bad then, lol. They're saving themselves for the Euros.

 

[lejackal]

The official album is by Topps and not Panini, for some reason I find this off putting. No nostalgia kick perhaps?